Candlelight vigil will mark anniversary of tragedy at Chatham after-school program

CHATHAM — A village and surrounding communities will gather Saturday to honor the lives lost in a tragic accident at an after-school program. A candlelight vigil will mark the first anniversary of the day a sports utility vehicle drove through a building housing the YNOT Outdoors after-school program. Four people died and six were injured in the April 28 crash. The vigil at 4 p.m. Saturday at Chatham Baptist Church, 1500 E. Walnut St., will reflect on the lives of Rylee Britton, 18, of Springfield, and Ainsley Johnson, 8, Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, and Kathryn Corley, 7, all of Chatham. Prayers will be offered for the families of those who lost their lives, as well as first responders and the community. Those who attend are being asked to bring flowers or stuffed animals to lay at the church's cross. According to Illinois State Police, an SUV being driven by Marianne Akers left the road, crossed a field and crashed through the YNOT building after driving through a small group of students. A subsequent state police investigation indicated Akers likely suffered a seizure while behind the wheel, causing her to veer off the road and into the building. No criminal charges were filed. The accident deeply affected the community and others. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the deaths were a loss of a "group of bright and innocent young people with their whole lives ahead of them." "My heart is heavy for these families and the unimaginable grief they're experiencing — something that no parent should ever have to endure," Pritzker said at the time. RELATED: At least 4 dead, many others injured after vehicle goes through after-school camp in Chatham RELATED: Driver in deadly crash at Chatham after-school camp is former state police employee RELATED: Community mourns four killed in crash at after-school program