Four children killed after car crashes into after-school camp in Illinois

On Monday afternoon, a tragic event unfolded in Chatham, Illinois, when a vehicle collided with a building hosting an after-school program. This incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m. local time and resulted in the deaths of four children, who ranged in age from 4 to 18 years old. The Illinois State Police confirmed that among those killed were two seven-year-olds, one eight-year-old, and one eighteen-year-old. Multiple others were also injured, with several requiring hospitalization, one of whom was airlifted due to the severity of their injuries. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, escaped unhurt but was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Authorities reported that the driver is considered a suspect, but no charges have been filed at this time, and toxicology reports are pending as part of the ongoing investigation. Various law enforcement agencies are working collaboratively to assess the situation and determine the cause of the crash. Officials have indicated that it does not appear to have been a targeted attack, although the specifics remain unclear as investigations continue. The building struck by the vehicle is affiliated with YNOT Outdoors, which conducts summer camps and after-school programs. In the aftermath of this devastating occurrence, community leaders and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed their condolences and urged communities to come together to support affected families during this critical time. As the community mourns, additional support measures are being made available, including counseling services for those impacted by the tragedy. The school district also shifted to e-learning for the time being as part of the response to this tragic event.