CHATHAM, Ill. (WAND) - The founder of the YNOT Outdoor Kids Camp has released a statement after a vehicle drove through the group's Chatham building Monday, killing four children and injuring six others.
Founder Jamie Loftus said, "YNOT Outdoors Kids Camp experienced unforetold tragedy this afternoon."
Loftus said around 3:20 p.m. an SUV traveling west on Walnut, through Chatham, left Walnut St., traveled through a 78-acre farm field, and crashed through the building.
Loftus said security cameras captured part of the vehicle's path. "With no apparent attempt to alter its direction, the vehicle crossed North Breckenridge and the sidewalk, continuing into our parking lot and into the East wall of our building. The vehicle exited the building on the West side, crossing the gravel road access to the Chatham Water Tower, then lodging itself against a power-pole and ball field fence."
Illinois State Police said the driver was not injured, but taken to the hospital for evaluation. Toxicology results are pending. ISP has said this does not appear to be a targeted attack.
The victims who were killed include two 7-year-old girls, an 8-year-old girl, and an 18-year-old girl.
"The Illinois State Police are conducting their investigation, and as such, I will respect their wishes to allow them time to process all pieces of this horrific day, before communicating further," Loftus said. "I cannot gather the words to express much of anything that will make sense in print. However, I do know that our families who suffered loss and injury today, are hurting very, very badly."
"They are friends and their kids are like our kids. The Village of Chatham and Ball Chatham Schools are going to need their populations and that of the outside world to love them, pray for them, think of them and, at the same time, give them space and respect."
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