Four girls were killed Monday afternoon after a vehicle crashed through an after-school care facility in Chatham.
Illinois State Police say the crash happened around 3:20 p.m. at the YNOT After School Camp, located in the 300 block of Breckenridge Road. According to investigators, a vehicle struck multiple people outside the building before continuing through the east wall, hitting more individuals inside, and then exiting through the west wall.
Regional Radio News has learned that all four of the deceased are female. The Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, confirmed that all four were students and were pronounced dead at the scene. Identification of the victims is pending notification of their families. Post-mortem procedures are scheduled for Tuesday.
Authorities said the victims are believed to be between the ages of 4 and 18 years old. Three of the girls were outside the building when they were struck, and one was inside.
Several others were injured and taken to area hospitals for treatment, including one person who was airlifted. The driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was not injured but was transported to a hospital for evaluation.
The deaths remain under investigation by the Sangamon County Coroner’s Office, the Chatham Police Department, and the Illinois State Police.
Walnut Street between Park Street and Gordon Drive remains closed as the investigation continues. Authorities say more information will be released when it becomes available.
