What started as a regular afternoon in the quiet town of Chatham, Illinois turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.
At a time when kids should’ve been wrapping up their after-school activities and preparing to head home, tragedy struck at YNOT Outdoors Summer and After School Camp.
A black Jeep crashed through the building, killing four young people and injuring several others.
Driver Identified as Local School Worker
Authorities say the vehicle was driven by 44-year-old Marianne Akers, a food service worker at Chatham Elementary School and a mother of two.
Around 3:20 p.m. on Monday, her Jeep barreled through the east side of the YNOT facility, plowed through the building with tremendous force, and exited out the other side.
Shockingly, Akers was unharmed. Video captured her shortly afterward—handcuffed, wearing a grey t-shirt, her hair tied up—yet she wasn’t under arrest.
Illinois State Police confirmed she was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, with toxicology tests still pending. As of now, she remains free while the investigation continues.
Rumors of Drunk Driving Denied by Police
In the aftermath, social media lit up with rumors suggesting Akers was intoxicated and failed a sobriety test.
However, the Chatham Police Department stepped in swiftly to dispel that misinformation.
“This is not true. Please stop sharing this,” they stated on their official Facebook page in response to the claims.
Victims Include Young Campers and a Teen Volunteer
Among the victims were three young girls—two aged 7 and one aged 8—who were standing outside when the Jeep hit.
A fourth victim, an 18-year-old volunteer who helped run the camp, was inside the building at the time.
She has not yet been publicly identified but was described as a student either in college or finishing high school.
Six more children were injured in the crash.
One remains in critical condition and had to be airlifted due to the severity of their injuries.
A Program Meant to Nurture Young Minds
YNOT Outdoors is more than just a place for after-school care.
Staffed by aspiring educators—college students and responsible high school seniors—it offers a space for kids to grow, play, and learn while their parents work.
Monday’s horrific incident cut short lives full of potential and deeply shook the community that trusted the camp with their children.
Grief, Support, and an Outpouring of Love
The crash has left Chatham in mourning.
Governor JB Pritzker expressed his sorrow, writing, “Parents said goodbye to their kids this morning not knowing it would be the last time.
Our community lost a group of bright and innocent young people.”
Senator Doris Turner echoed those emotions, saying, “When we drop our kids off in the morning, we should have the utmost belief they’ll come home safely.
That belief was shattered today.”
Neighbors described the chaos and helplessness of the moment.
One local wrote, “Watching people you know sprint past your house, not knowing if their children are safe, is a gut-wrenching experience. My heart aches for everyone.”
Community Comes Together in Crisis
As medical teams responded to the emergency, blood banks were quickly depleted.
Staff at Impact Life, the local blood center, put out an urgent call for donors.
“We had to pack up so much of our supply for this,” one worker said.
“Please, if you can donate blood, platelets, any of it—go do it.”
Businesses are also stepping up. A local Chick-Fil-A is offering free meals to all first responders on Monday and Tuesday as a small gesture of appreciation.
Meanwhile, Chatham Baptist Church has opened its doors to support grieving families, acting as a reunification site for parents desperately seeking their children.
What’s Next?
Right now, the top priority is caring for the families who lost their loved ones and the children still recovering in hospitals.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and while authorities say it does not appear to have been an intentional act, the community is anxiously awaiting answers.
The town of Chatham has been forever changed—but it’s also showing resilience.
As neighbors support one another, donate blood, and gather in prayer, one thing is clear: this community is determined to heal together.