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
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.