Published on April 29, 2025 6:11 am
Last Updated on April 29, 2025 12:06 pm
The Illinois State Police (ISP) continues its investigation into a fatal crash that occurred Monday afternoon in Chatham.
At approximately 3:20 p.m., a vehicle left the road for unknown reasons, traveled through a field and into the east side of the YNOT After School Camp located at 301 Breckenridge Road in Chatham. The car traveled through the building striking numerous individuals before exiting the other side. Four individuals were killed in the crash, two 7-year-olds, an 8-year-old, and an 18-year-old. Six additional children were taken to area hospitals and one remains in critical condition.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was uninjured and transported to an area hospital for evaluation. She has been identified as 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham. Akers is not in custody at this time as the crash remains under investigation. Toxicology reports are pending, but this does not appear to be a targeted attack.
One of the four girls killed in the incident had local ties. She was seven-year-old Alma Buhnerkempe, and had relatives in the Teutopolis community.
ISP traffic crash reconstruction, patrol, crime scene services, and criminal investigations all responded to the scene along with Chatham Police Department, Chatham Fire Department, Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, the Sangamon County Coroner, and numerous other first responders.
This is an active investigation and no additional information is available at this time.
