Four, all children or teenagers, were killed, and several others were killed Monday when a car crashed through a school center in Chatham, Illinois, a village south of Springfield.
Police said the car hit three victims outside the building and hit a fourth at around 3:20 p.m. Several others were taken to hospitals and at least one person was airlifted.
Illinois State Police said Tuesday morning that the victims were two 7-year-olds, an 8-year-old and an 18-year-old. Their names were not released.
Police said six other children were taken to the hospital, one of whom was in critical condition.
State police said the driver, which has not been publicly determined by authorities, was not injured and was assessed at the hospital Monday night. Police said no one else was in the car.
Police said the toxicology report is waiting. “The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but it does not appear to be a targeted attack,” they said in a statement.
Officials from the Chatham Police Department, Chatham Fire Department and other agencies responded to a call from a vehicle that was sent to Ynot at a school camp, state police said.
According to police, the driver hit the east side of the building, impressed people outside, and continued driving through the building, hitting people inside, and exiting the west side.
“A terrible tragedy happened here that affected all of us,” the Chatham Police Department said in a statement.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker expressed condolences to the victims and their families in a statement Monday night, saying his administration is monitoring the situation.
“Our community has lost a group of smart and innocent young people, who have been in front of them all their lives,” Pritzker said. “Parents said goodbye to their children this morning, not knowing it was the last time. My heart is heavy for these families and the unimaginable sadness they have experienced.”
The U.S. representative from Illinois also expressed sympathy on social media. Republican Mary Miller said. “My heart is with the entire community,” said Democratic representative Raja Krishnamoorthi. “As a dad, my heart is saddened by all the worst nightmares for these parents tonight.”
Chatham is a village of about 14,500 people, about 12 miles south of downtown Springfield, the capital of Illinois.
According to its website, Ynot or Youth Need Other Things, is an organization founded in 2002, “as a way for parents to place their children in a safe, fun, active and stimulating summer environment.” The group organizes summer camps and after-school programs for children.
Neil Vigdor,,,,, Julie Bosman and Victor Mather Contribution report.
