Chatham YNOT Crash Ruled Not Criminal; No Charges Filed

Authorities have concluded their investigation into the April 28, 2025 crash at the YNOT After School Camp in Chatham, Illinois, determining that the tragedy was the result of a medical episode suffered by the driver and not a criminal act.

The crash occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. when a 2018 Jeep Wrangler left Breckenridge Road, traveled through a farm field, and struck the east side of the YNOT building at 301 Breckenridge Road. Ten children inside the building were hit, and five were killed: 7-year-old Alma Buhnerkempe, 7-year-old Kathryn Corley, 8-year-old Ainsley Johnson, 8-year-old Bradley Lund, and 18-year-old Rylee Britton.

The driver, 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham, was uninjured in the crash. Witnesses reported seeing her slumped over the wheel just before the collision, and first responders described her as disoriented and unresponsive until revived. Medical evaluations conducted afterward revealed objective evidence of seizures, though the underlying cause remains unknown.

According to the Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Report, the Jeep maintained a speed of 38 to 40 miles per hour as it crossed the field, with the accelerator fully pressed and no application of the brakes. The report noted that the vehicle’s stability control system limited its speed until it struck the YNOT building at approximately 45 miles per hour, colliding with the children inside before exiting the structure and coming to rest against a wooden pole and fence.

Toxicology tests administered shortly after the crash returned negative results for drugs and alcohol, and investigators found no evidence that the act was intentional. Akers, who had a valid driver’s license at the time, has since had her driving privileges revoked.

The annoucnemnt from officials said, "To establish a criminal offense the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver intended to drive her Jeep into the YNOT building, or willfully drove recklessly, or that the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol or a combination that caused her to leave the road and crash into the YNOT building, or that the driver was negligent or reckless in driving because of a known medical condition. There is no evidence to support an intentional or knowing act by the driver in this case. There is no evidence that the driver was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or a combination. There is no evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver acted recklessly or negligently in driving with a known medical condition, such as seizures."

Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser said, “Our hearts continue to break for the families impacted by this horrific case, with lives taken and families and a community changed forever. We will continue to pray for the families and all of Chatham.”