CHATHAM, Ill. (April 23, 2026) – The families of five children who were killed after a vehicle crashed into a Chatham, Illinois after-school camp last year have filed a lawsuit through their attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, arguing that their deaths were a “preventable tragedy.” The collision claimed the lives of 7-year-old Kathryn Corley, 7-year-old Alma Buhnerkempe, 8-year-old Bradley James Lund, 8-year-old Ainsley Johnson, and 18-year-old camp counselor Rylee Britton. At least six other children were severely injured in the incident and numerous children witnessed the devastating event from only feet away.
On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the plaintiffs’ attorneys held a press conference to discuss the lawsuit in more detail. The filing of the case was covered by several media outlets:
- People Magazine
- Daily Mail
- NPR Illinois
- NPR Illinois (audio story)
- FOX 32
- FOX 32’s Chicago Report
- FOX 32 (live interview on morning show)
- Chicago Sun Times
- ABC 7
- NBC 5
- WGN
- WGN (story 2)
- CBS Chicago
- Yahoo! News
- AOL News
- MSN News
- State Journal Register
- Newschannel 20
- WAND-TV News
- FOX Illinois
- WCIA
- WGLT
- WSIU
- WYMG – Radio
- KCRG
- KSDK
- KFVS
- Illinois Patch
- Sangamon Reporter
- Journal Courier
- Capitol City Now
- Northern Public Radio
- Champana Today
- Hoodline
