'Medical Emergency' May Have Preceded Crash That Killed 4 Youths: IL State Police

CHATHAM, IL — The 44-year-old driver who plowed through a building at an after-school camp in downstate Chatham earlier this week — killing an 18-year-old and three young girls — was not intoxicated but may have suffered a medical emergency leading up to the crash, police said Thursday.

“The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been filed,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said in a press conference streamed on the agency’s Facebook page. Initial toxicology results were negative for alcohol or controlled substances in the woman's system, according to police.

“… Some evidence has been developed that indicates that some type of medical emergency may have occurred — may, but that’s not the end of the discussion.”

Kelly noted there is no evidence that the deadly crash was an act of terrorism or mass violence.

“There’s absolutely nothing to indicate that whatsoever,” he said.

The collision occurred around 3:20 p.m. Monday at YNOT After School Camp in the 300 block of Breckenridge Road after the vehicle driven by a 44-year-old Chatham woman left the road and traveled through a field before hitting the building, entering on its east side and exiting through the west, police have said.

The path of the vehicle spanned over 1,300 feet, according to Kelly. Police have said the driver was the sole occupant.

The victims were identified as Ainsley Johnson, 8, of Chatham; Rylee Britton, 18, of Springfield; Kathryn Corley, 7, of Chatham; and Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, of Chatham, by Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon.

In addition to the four who were killed, police said six children were taken to area hospitals. Two have since been released.

A small community of about 15,000, Chatham came together in the wake of the tragedy, with hundreds gathering Tuesday in the town square and at Cherry Hills Church to mourn the young victims.

The driver was not hurt and provided blood and urine samples at a hospital, both of which had negative preliminary results for alcohol and controlled substances, according to Kelly.

Kelly also confirmed the driver is a former state police employee, although she has not worked for the agency in nearly seven years.