CHATHAM, Ill. (WAND) - The woman police said drove through a group of children at an after school camp in Chatham is a former Illinois State Police employee, according to the agency.
The 44-year-old driver was identified by ISP. The crash resulted in the deaths of four children and injuries to six others on Monday.
ISP said the driver is not in custody because the cause of the crash is still under investigation. She was not hurt in the crash. Police said Monday they are awaiting toxicology reports, but did not provide further details.
According to the Illinois State Police, the driver was employed with the agency for 12 years as an office associate. She resigned from her position in 2018.
WAND News also learned the driver previously worked with the Ball-Chatham School District, as a food service employee. A district spokesman said she last worked for the district in 2022.
The driver currently works at IDOT in the Bureau of Business Services as an office assistant. She has been an employee since 2023.
IDOT released a statement saying, "The entire team at the Illinois Department of Transportation is heartbroken over the young lives lost and grieving for all of those affected by Monday’s tragedy in Chatham. We are experiencing deep pain within our IDOT family and making resources available for employees in need of additional help. We are supporting law enforcement investigating this horrible event and offer our condolences to the community during this difficult time.”
According to police, the driver left the road for unknown reasons, traveled through a field, and into the east side of the YNOT After School Camp.
Police said the car traveled through the building hitting numerous individuals before exiting out the other side.
Four individuals were killed in the crash, 8-year-old Ainsley Johnson, 18-year-old Rylee Britton, and 7-year-olds Kathryn Corley and Alma Bunerkempe.
Police said Monday the incident was not a targeted attack.
This is a developing story.
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