'Unimaginable Grief': More Details In After-School Camp Crash That Killed 3 Kids, 1 Teen

CHATHAM, IL — Illinois State Police said the four students killed when a car plowed into an after-school camp in Chatham were two 7-year-olds, an 8-year-old and an 18-year-old. Police say they do not believe the crash was a targeted attack.

On Monday, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon said the victims were four female students and that their identities would be released after their families are notified, the Associated Press reported.

State police identified the driver as a 44-year-old Chatham woman and said she is not in custody as the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Officers responded around 3:20 p.m. to YNOT After School Camp in the 300 block of Breckenridge Road in Chatham after the vehicle drove into the east side of the structure, hitting multiple people both outside and inside the building, and exiting through the west wall, police said.

Early Tuesday, state police say the vehicle "left the road for unknown reasons" before it traveled through a field and into the building. "The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but this does not appear to be a targeted attack," officials said.

“At this time, we can confirm four fatalities believed to be between the ages of 4-18 years,” state police said in a news release. "Three individuals were struck outside the building and one inside. Several additional individuals have been transferred to local area hospitals by ambulance and one by a life flight helicopter.”

In addition to the four students who were killed, state police said six children were taken to area hospitals, and one remained in critical condition.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was not hurt but was taken to a hospital to be evaluated, according to police. On Tuesday, state police said toxicological reports are pending.

"I am horrified and deeply saddened by the deaths of children and numerous injuries in Chatham this afternoon," Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement. "My heart is heavy for these families and the unimaginable grief they're experiencing – something that no parent should ever have to endure."

He said his office was monitoring the situation and was ready to lend support.

Chatham is a small town of about 15,000 people just outside Springfield.

"If you believe in the power of prayer, please take a moment to pray right now for the entire Chatham community," the Chatham Police Department posted on its Facebook page. "A terrible tragedy has occurred here that has affected all of us."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.