CHATHAM, Ill. (WAND) - The founder of the YNOT after school camp in Chatham where four girls were killed after a car crashed through the building is thanking the community for rallying behind the center and the families.

A vigil was held Wednesday night for the victims of Monday's crash.

Illinois State Police said a car was driven through the after school camp, killing four children and injuring six others.

On Tuesday morning, the coroner released the names of the victims. All died from multiple blunt force injuries.

  • Ainsley Johnson, age 8, of Chatham

  • Rylee Britton, age 18, of Springfield

  • Kathryn Corley, age 7, of Chatham

  • Alma Buhnerkempe, age 7, of Chatham

ISP previously identified the 44-year-old driver as a resident of Chatham. She is not in custody at this time as the cause of the crash remains under investigation. She was not injured in the crash.

On Facebook, YNOT founder Jamie Loftus posted about Wednesday's vigil:
 
"Tonight's vigil, like yesterday's on the Chatham Square, were magnificent testaments of love for Riley, Ainsley, Alma & Kathryn, and also for the hospitalized...
 
"The moments of silence, at both locations, were inspirational and knee-buckling at the same time.....2500+ people, absolutely silent, in mostly Glenwood red, facing a podium where soothing messages were cast onto a crowd, a gathering of men, women and kids, that very much absorbed and needed it....and you could hear a pin drop.
 
"And tonight, a packed Glenwood Stadium, plus those without seats, lining the end-zone, as though they were standing guard over these girls' crosses, placed in center. Again, for 4 minutes; absolute silence, except for thunder from an approaching rain & hail front.
 
Loftus expressed gratitude for everyone who helped following the tragedy, from first responders to volunteers, workers, and parents.
 
"Of particular note was the detail and extent to which medical and those directly attending the deceased, crafted a privacy barrier, thereby respecting and protecting the sanctity of that area, with a tenderness equal to a family member.
Across the next 7 hours, I cannot remember all the names of those who grabbed my shoulder, Tuesday, to spin me around, quickly identifying who they were, with an ID card or badge and asking me for information that would help them do their job or build a report. I wish I did, because I would tell the community who they are, what their role was and how the teamwork between agencies was awe-inspiring.
 
"By the time the State Police had completed our surveillance video downloading, had inspected and tape-labelled each child's backpack and boxed them up for return to kids and finally, returned possession of our building, back to us, I looked at my watch and at 12:02 a.m. Wednesday, Chatham firefighters and Illinois State Police, visibly still invested and on a mission, asked if I had dust mops and brooms. When I pulled them from our closet, they were quickly nabbed from my hands by State Troopers and CFD Joe Boletta and his team. I really couldn't see for the next several seconds, due to tears messing with my vision.
 
"They stayed and picked up pieces of large debris that demanded two people, smaller items and building materials and piled it, swept, washed and 'held watch' beyond what was expected. They picked up personal kid items, gingerly and carefully trying to figure out where and with what backpack they should reside.
 
"Truly, and with my overfull heart, I cannot express how I have been humbled by these men and women and how they genuinely tended to the details.
I extend the most sincere 'thank you' to all of you men and women whose footprints are forever a part of 301 Breckenridge, Chatham, Illinois. You know who you are. I know how you cared."
 
Copyright 2025 WAND TV. All rights reserved.