In a shocking twist, four innocent lives were lost after a driver crashed her SUV into an after-school camp in Chatham, Illinois. What should’ve been a safe haven for kids turned into a nightmare on April 28th.
The victims? Two sweet 7-year-olds and their 8-year-old friend, alongside 18-year-old Rylee Britton, who was there on a mission to help out. Local reports confirm that the crash was absolutely horrifying, with the car plowing straight into the YNOT After-School Camp. Talk about an unbelievable, gut-wrenching tragedy.
The driver? A 44-year-old woman, Marianne Akers, who thankfully walked away unscathed. Authorities are still working to figure out what went down, with a toxicology report pending. Was she texting? Was there a medical emergency? Who knows. The investigation’s still underway, but it’s clear that something went horribly wrong.
In the aftermath, the community has rallied around the grieving families. GoFundMe campaigns have raised nearly $92K, and local support has been off the charts. People are mourning the loss of these kids — all bright, full of life, and taken way too soon.
The families of the victims are understandably heartbroken. Jamie Loftus, the founder of the YNOT camp, called it an “unforetold tragedy.” The whole town feels the sting of this one, and it’s a loss that’ll linger for a long time.
As we wait for more answers, one thing’s clear: Chatham is hurting right now, and this devastating crash will stay on everyone’s minds for the foreseeable future.