4 people, including children, killed after vehicle smashes through after-school program site in Illinois | World News
Four people, including children, were killed and several others were injured after a car smashed a building during an after school camp program in Chatham, outside of Springfield, Illinois on Monday, authorities said.
According to Chatham Police Department Deputy Chief Scott Tarter, the police responded to calls at around 3:20pm about a car ramming a building and hitting three people after smashing inside and hitting another person, before exiting the building from the other end.
Illinois state police have said that those killed are aged between four and 18 years old, Associated Press reported. Police added that several other people were injured in the car ramming incident and have been taken to hospital.
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This image taken from video provided WCIA shows first responders working the scene after a car smashed through a building during an after-school program, killing multiple people, in Chatham, Ill. (WCIA via AP)
The suspect driver has been hospitalized for evaluation as he remained uninjured, and it is reported that the driver was the only person in the vehicle when it rammed into the building.
The facility and building house YNOT Outdoors that have after-school programs and summer camps, its website shows.
My adminration is closely monitoring the crash in Chatham.
As we continue to learn more, please follow the guidance of all local authorities.
Let’s wrap our arms around the community tonight as we receive updates on the situation.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) April 28, 2025
The incident took place in Chatham which is a small town of about 15,000 people and is situated just outside Springfield, Illinois.
The Chatham Police, in a statement said “If you believe in the power of prayer, please take a moment to pray right now for the entire Chatham community. A terrible tragedy has occurred here that has affected all of us.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker informed about the incident on X and stated “My adminration is closely monitoring the crash in Chatham. As we continue to learn more, please follow the guidance of all local authorities. Let’s wrap our arms around the community tonight as we receive updates on the situation.”
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