Driver of Chatham fatal crash had clean toxicology, Illinois State
Police confirm
[May 02, 2025]
By Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR)
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Police released preliminary toxicology
results that showed no drugs or alcohol in the system of a driver who
crashed into a central Illinois after-school program, killing four young
girls.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said Thursday police are
still investigating the cause of the crash but found one possible
explanation.
“Some evidence has been developed indicating the possibility of a
medical emergency leading to the crash,” Kelly said at a Springfield
news conference. “However, the investigation of this information and
other evidence has not yet concluded, and we will continue until all
leads and research has been exhausted.”
Marianne Akers, 44, of Chatham, was the driver and only occupant of a
Jeep that on Monday struck a building that housed the YNOT Camp, which
stands for Youth Needing Other Things, an after-school camp in Chatham.
Those killed were Ainsley Johnson, 8; Kathryn Corley, 7; Alma
Buhnerkempe, 7, all of Chatham, and counselor Rylee Britton, 18, of
Springfield. All the victims died from blunt force trauma.
Six other children were injured at the scene and hospitalized. Two have
since been released.
Akers was not injured in the crash and was taken to the hospital for
evaluation. Kelly said she provided blood and urine specimens at that
time.
He confirmed that toxicology screenings came back negative for all forms
of alcohol including ethanol, isopropanol, methanol, and all substances
including benzodiazepine, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, cannabinoids,
and phencyclidine.
The news release ISP published Tuesday said the incident did “not appear
to be a targeted attack.” During the news conference Thursday, Kelly
confirmed that statement.
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Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, center, released
toxicology results of the driver involved in a crash that killed
four children at a central Illinois after-school program during a
news conference Thursday in Springfield. (Capitol News Illinois
photo by Jade Aubrey)
“If you think about that terminology, a targeted attack, it implies a
certain intent or some specific motive, or a link of some type, a nexus
between the person, in this case, the driver, and that location,” he
said. “And there’s just no evidence of that that would indicate that
this was something intended as some type of mass violence or terrorist
attack, or something along those natures. There’s absolutely nothing to
indicate that whatsoever.”
Although he would not confirm how fast Akers’ car was traveling at the
time of impact, Kelly said her car covered over 1,300 feet “pre- and
post-impact” — information ISP obtained using photography, drones,
videos, diagrams and other information when investigating at the scene.
Kelly said ISP released Akers’ name a day after the accident because it
was “already out there,” and that confirming her name did not provide
any information that hadn’t already been publicly confirmed.
“We offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends
and Chatham community during this difficult time now,” Kelly said before
asking reporters gathered at the news conference to observe a moment of
silence for the victims and survivors.
Chatham schools were closed through Friday.
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