Illinois State Police confirm Chatham crash driver had clear toxicology

Illinois State Police in Springfield announced initial toxicology findings revealing no presence of drugs or alcohol in the system of a driver who caused a fatal accident at a central Illinois after-school program, resulting in the tragic deaths of four young girls. Director Brendan Kelly specified during a news conference that while they have uncovered some evidence suggesting a potential medical emergency as a factor in the crash, the investigation is ongoing and additional evidence must be examined thoroughly. The driver was identified as Marianne Akers, a former State Police employee, who crashed her Jeep into a building housing the YNOT Camp in Chatham. The victims of the crash were three young girls from Chatham, Ainsley Johnson, Kathryn Corley, and Alma Buhnerkempe, along with camp counselor Rylee Britton from Springfield, who all succumbed to blunt force trauma injuries. Kelly mentioned that toxicology tests on the driver for alcohol and various substances came back negative, ruling out the influence of drugs or alcohol in the incident. Additionally, the police stated that there is no indication of targeted violence or intentional harm in the crash, and no evidence suggests any terrorist motives. The speed of the vehicle at the time of impact was not disclosed, but investigative techniques like photography, drones, videos, and diagrams helped determine the car's travel path of over 1,300 feet. The State Police extended their deepest sympathies to the victims' families, the affected community, and the survivors, announcing the closure of Chatham schools through the end of the week.