CHATHAM, Ill. — Four minors were killed and several others injured Monday after a vehicle crashed into a building housing an after-school summer camp in the central Illinois village of Chatham, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community and prompting an ongoing investigation by state and local authorities.
The deadly crash occurred just after 3 p.m. at the YNOT Outdoors Summer Camp—short for Youth Needing Other Things—a facility that serves children and teens with after-school programs and summer enrichment activities. Illinois State Police confirmed the victims ranged in age from 4 to 18.
According to a joint statement from the Illinois State Police and Chatham Police Department, three children were struck outside the building, while a fourth was killed inside after the car slammed through the camp’s entrance. Authorities have not released the names of the victims, but described the situation as “chaotic,” urging families to go to the designated reunification site for identification and support.
The impact of the crash also left multiple others injured. Several children were rushed to nearby hospitals, with at least one airlifted for emergency care. Officials have not disclosed the exact number of injuries or the condition of the hospitalized individuals, but described the scene as harrowing.
“The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was uninjured and transported to an area hospital for evaluation,” state police said in a statement. The driver is being treated as a suspect, though no charges have been filed and their identity has not yet been released.
While the investigation remains in its early stages, law enforcement officials confirmed that both state and local agencies are working together to determine how the vehicle came to crash into the camp building. It remains unclear whether the incident was the result of driver impairment, a mechanical issue, or another factor.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called the crash an unspeakable tragedy. “Our community lost a group of bright and innocent young people with their whole lives ahead of them,” Pritzker said in a statement posted to social media Monday night. “Parents said goodbye to their children this morning not knowing it would be the last time. My heart is heavy for these families and the unimaginable grief they’re experiencing — something that no parent should ever have to endure.”
Pritzker said his office was closely monitoring the investigation and extended gratitude to emergency responders and law enforcement personnel who were first on the scene.
As Chatham—a community of just over 13,000—begins to grieve, residents and officials alike are grappling with the profound loss and searching for answers. The YNOT Summer Camp, a cornerstone for many families in the area, remained closed Tuesday as authorities continued their investigation.
