Four children still hospitalized while Chatham mourns four who died in
crash
[May 01, 2025]
By Beth Hundsdorfer and Jade Aubrey
CHATHAM — As a central Illinois community mourns the deaths of three
children and a teen counselor killed Monday when a vehicle crashed into
the building that housed their after-school program, it has rallied
around survivors.
Ainsley Johnson, 8; Kathryn Corley, 7; Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, all of
Chatham, and counselor Rylee Britton, 18, of Springfield, died from
blunt force trauma in the accident.
“As we mourn this unimaginable loss, we recognize the pain and grief
that many are experiencing,” Becca Lamon, superintendent for the Ball
Chatham School District wrote on the district’s webpage. “We are all
hurting. We understand that yesterday’s tragedy was difficult to
comprehend and process. In times like these it is important that we lean
on one another for strength and support.”
Police said a black Jeep driven by Marianne Akers, of Chatham, left the
road for unknown reason and traveled through a field, crossed a street
and a parking lot then hit the east side of a building that housed YNOT
Outdoors, which stands for Youth Needing Other Things, an after-school
camp in Chatham.
The car drove through the building, striking several children and
workers, before it exited the other side, went across a basketball court
and hit a pole near the town’s water tower. Children were in a gym area
when the Jeep went through the building.
Illinois State Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash but
said it was not a targeted attack. ISP confirmed Wednesday that there is
surveillance video of the crash.
Akers was not injured but was taken to a local hospital for evaluation
on Monday afternoon. No charges have been filed as of Wednesday.
Six children were hospitalized after the crash. Two have been released,
according to Illinois State Police, while four remain hospitalized. A
GoFundMe account was established for 7-year-old Ella Orsi, who was
injured in the crash, to help with medical costs.
Ella sustained facial fractures, a broken jaw, damaged teeth, brain
swelling and brain bleeding and is in the pediatric intensive care unit,
according to Casey Sitko, who posted on the fundraising site.
“At this time, plastic surgery/surgeries will be required, but it
appears as though any brain surgery will be avoided. She is intubated
and medicated so she can rest and recover,” Sitko wrote.
Ella has been responsive and communicating by squeezing her parents’
hands, according to the latest update by Sitko.
The Glenwood High School Student Council raised more than $150,000 to
help with funeral costs, according to the fundraising site.
Chatham has a population of around 15,000 people and is 12 miles from
the Capitol in Springfield. Due to the village’s proximity to
Springfield, a large number of state employees live in Chatham, located
south on Interstate 55.
Akers, of Chatham, is herself a state employee. She is an office
associate in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Bureau of
Business Services. She formerly served as an office associate at the
Illinois State Police but resigned in 2018 after a 12-year tenure.
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Red ribbon signifying village slogan “Chatham Strong” tops fallen
crime scene tape on a single tree in front of the field that a Jeep
crossed before striking the building where YNOT Outdoors
after-school program, killing four children. (Capitol News Illinois
photo by Jade Aubrey)
Under Illinois law, a driver has a duty to report a medical condition
that could cause loss of consciousness or any other loss of ability to
safely operate a motor vehicle within 10 days of the driver becoming
aware of the condition.
The Illinois Secretary of State stated it could not comment on whether
Akers has previously filed a medical report as that is confidential
information.
Chatham Schools canceled school through Friday.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the village rallied to show support for the
families that were affected. The mayor of Chatham ordered flags to be
lowered to half-staff. Residents made T-shirts displaying the slogan “We
Are Chatham Strong” and gave the proceeds to the families.
Red, the school color, was seen throughout the village. Ribbons adorned
trees and light poles. Red signs were planted in front lawns. Locals
wore red shirts throughout the day and at the vigils.
Chatham Police Department posted a video of a candlelight vigil held for
the victims on Tuesday, and another vigil was scheduled for Wednesday
night.
Community members shared several Facebook posts urging residents to
donate blood. By Tuesday morning, all of the time slots were booked
until Friday.
Counselors provided free therapy and counseling for children and
parents. A local nursery provided free childcare for parents needing
“time for self-care.” Families organized to make or provide meals for
families of children who attended the after-school program.
Some local bars and restaurants donated a portion of their sales to
families impacted by the crash. Others offered free meals to first
responders, impacted families, and locals who donated blood.
During lunchtime on Wednesday, a real estate firm rented a local
trampoline park for four hours, allowing children from the Chatham
School District to play during that time for free.
A Chatham ice cream shop hosted an event for children with a school
counselor and therapy dog. The children were encouraged to write
messages on the sidewalk outside in chalk to those who were killed and
injured.
On Tuesday, a neighboring intermediate school observed a moment of
silence for Chatham School District’s loss, as their students wore red
to show their support.
Glenwood athletes planned to meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Community
Park to play games with younger children from the village.
A Linktree page was made for locals to house all additional links for
other information, fundraisers, events, and community resources for
Chatham residents.
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