Crime
Sangamon County Coroner Identifies Four Young Victims in Fatal Crash at YNOT Daycare in Chatham
The Sangamon County Coroner’s Office has officially released the names of the four young victims tragically killed in the April 28 crash at the YNOT After School Camp in Chatham, Illinois.
Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon identified the deceased as:
- Ainsley Johnson, age 8, of Chatham
- Rylee Britton, age 18, of Springfield
- Kathryn Corley, age 7, of Chatham
- Alma Buhnerkempe, age 7, of Chatham
These individuals lost their lives when a vehicle drove off the roadway and crashed through the east side of the after-school facility, fatally striking several people inside before exiting through the opposite wall.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, at the YNOT After School Camp, located at 301 Breckenridge Road.
The vehicle, driven by 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham, left the roadway for reasons that remain under investigation, traveled through an open field, and entered the building—resulting in the deaths of the four victims and injuring six other children, one of whom remains in critical condition.
According to the Illinois State Police (ISP), Akers—who was the sole occupant of the vehicle—was not physically injured in the crash but was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Toxicology results are currently pending.
While the incident is not believed to be a targeted attack, DUI is suspected based on witness statements and field sobriety testing conducted at the scene, which Akers allegedly failed.
Multiple witnesses reported observing signs of intoxication.
At this time, Akers has not been taken into custody, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Akers is employed by the Chatham School District in its food services department.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Chatham and Springfield communities.
Among the victims was Ainsley Johnson, a beloved young dancer at the Springfield Movement Dance Complex (SMDC). In a heartfelt tribute, the dance studio shared the impact of Ainsley’s loss:
“Ainsley brought so much light and joy into our studio. Her bright smile, her bold spirit, and her love for dance left an unforgettable mark on everyone who knew her. She was sweet, sassy, and full of life. Miss Mariah said it best: ‘Ainsley gave me so much HIPHOP tude in class and I lived for it. Her smile was so bright, and she danced like she meant it.’ We are devastated and keeping her family, especially her sister, in our deepest prayers.”
The SMDC also extended its love and support to Emma and Mia, two additional dancers from the studio who were hospitalized following the crash and are currently recovering.
The response to the crash involved multiple agencies, including ISP’s Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit, Crime Scene Services, Criminal Investigations, as well as the Chatham Police Department, Chatham Fire Department, Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, and Sangamon County Coroner’s Office.
This remains an active investigation.
The Illinois State Police and community leaders continue to offer their heartfelt condolences to the families, victims, and all those affected by this unimaginable tragedy.
Anyone with information relevant to the crash is urged to contact the Illinois State Police.
Crime
ICE Tear Gas Canister Strikes Family Vehicle in Minneapolis, Six Children Hurt, Including Infant, Taken to Hospital
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Emergency responders and community members reported a distressing incident during ongoing federal immigration enforcement activity in south Minneapolis, involving the use of tear gas and other crowd-control tactics by federal agents and resulting in injuries to several civilians, including children.
According to local witnesses and media reports, after a federal law enforcement operation involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier in the week, tensions remained high in the surrounding neighborhood.
In one reported episode, residents attempting to leave an area where tear gas was being deployed sought to escape the effects of the chemical agents by entering a vehicle.
As tear gas canisters spread through nearby streets, a family with multiple children, including infants and young minors, was forced to shelter inside their car.
A tear gas canister reportedly landed under or near the vehicle, causing widespread irritation and breathing difficulties for those inside.
Emergency services were called, and some family members — including the children — were taken by ambulance for medical evaluation after experiencing breathing issues.
One infant was reported to have experienced breathing distress and received emergency medical attention.
Reports from bystanders indicated that parents administered first aid at the scene, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for a young child, before paramedics arrived.
Witness accounts describe the situation as chaotic but nonviolent on the part of the civilians, with several families attempting simply to leave the area as federal agents used tear gas and less-lethal munitions.
Those accounts state that no active threat to officers was present at the time the gas was deployed near the family vehicle.
Authorities have not yet released an official statement confirming the specific details of this encounter or whether federal agents intended to target the vehicle.
The Minneapolis Police Department and federal agencies involved in the operation have not publicly corroborated all aspects of the civil accounts, and the situation remains under review by local law enforcement.
Officials continue to investigate multiple related events unfolding in Minneapolis, including other recent uses of force by federal agents.
Local health officials and emergency responders are urging anyone affected by tear gas exposure to seek medical attention.
Community leaders have called for a thorough and transparent review of federal crowd-control tactics and their impact on bystanders, particularly children and other vulnerable individuals.