Authorities in Chatham, a small city near Springfield, Illinois, said Tuesday they do not believe a deadly crash into an after-school building that killed four young people was a targeted attack. The tragedy has devastated the local community and prompted statewide expressions of grief and support.
The crash occurred Monday afternoon when a vehicle drove through a field and slammed into a building housing Youth Needing Other Things Outdoors (YNOTO), an organization that provides after-school programs and summer camps. The impact killed three children—two aged 7 and one aged 8—as well as an 18-year-old. Six other children were injured, with one remaining in critical condition.
The driver, who was uninjured, was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Authorities said toxicology results are pending but have not confirmed whether the driver has been arrested or taken into custody. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
"This does not appear to be a targeted incident," police said in a statement during a Tuesday morning update. However, they emphasized that the investigation is ongoing.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed deep sorrow in a statement, calling the incident “horrifying” and offering support to the victims’ families. “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.
The tragedy follows a similarly deadly crash in Vancouver, British Columbia, just two days prior, where a car drove into a crowd during a cultural festival, killing 11 people. While there is no connection between the events, both highlight growing concerns about vehicle-related mass casualty incidents.
On Monday evening, emergency vehicles continued to surround the crash site. The Chatham Police Department, in a message posted to social media, called on the community to offer prayers. "A terrible tragedy has occurred here that has affected all of us," the department wrote.
By nightfall, residents began expressing solidarity online, changing their social media profile pictures to display a red ribbon bearing the words “Chatham Strong.” Community support groups and local leaders have pledged resources to help families affected by the tragedy.
Further updates are expected as investigators work to determine the full circumstances behind the deadly incident.
The EU is moving to simplify and unify its space policy with a landmark proposal—the EU Space Act aimed at boosting Europe’s competitiveness in the global space economy and establishing a single, streamlined market for space services.
China has surpassed its 2030 renewable energy target six years ahead of schedule and now leads the world in clean energy investment, innovation, and deployment, transforming itself into a global powerhouse in the transition to a sustainable energy future.
U.S. mortgage interest rates saw slight changes last week as applications for refinancing increased, even though home purchase applications dipped.
Victor Arthein, a senior figure in the Guadeloupe Communist Party, has urged the territory to pursue political and economic independence from France, citing deep-rooted structural dependence and declining sovereignty.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says new NATO defence spending targets are achievable for Italy, thanks to their flexible structure, and insists no other budget priorities will be sacrificed.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Norway is stepping up military support for Ukraine with a $640 million package aimed at boosting the country's drone capabilities, both on the battlefield and for infrastructure protection.
Afghan farmers are shifting away from opium cultivation as the interim government ramps up efforts to eliminate the drug trade, offering alternative crops and local support.
U.S. mortgage interest rates saw slight changes last week as applications for refinancing increased, even though home purchase applications dipped.
Victor Arthein, a senior figure in the Guadeloupe Communist Party, has urged the territory to pursue political and economic independence from France, citing deep-rooted structural dependence and declining sovereignty.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says new NATO defence spending targets are achievable for Italy, thanks to their flexible structure, and insists no other budget priorities will be sacrificed.
The EU is moving to simplify and unify its space policy with a landmark proposal—the EU Space Act aimed at boosting Europe’s competitiveness in the global space economy and establishing a single, streamlined market for space services.
China has surpassed its 2030 renewable energy target six years ahead of schedule and now leads the world in clean energy investment, innovation, and deployment, transforming itself into a global powerhouse in the transition to a sustainable energy future.
U.S. mortgage interest rates saw slight changes last week as applications for refinancing increased, even though home purchase applications dipped.
Victor Arthein, a senior figure in the Guadeloupe Communist Party, has urged the territory to pursue political and economic independence from France, citing deep-rooted structural dependence and declining sovereignty.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says new NATO defence spending targets are achievable for Italy, thanks to their flexible structure, and insists no other budget priorities will be sacrificed.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment