CHATHAM, Ill. – A devastating tragedy unfolded Monday night in Chatham, Illinois, where four children were killed after a car crashed into a preschool building.
Illinois State Police (ISP) confirmed all of the victims were minors, ranging in age from 4 to 18.
According to police, the car veered off Walnut Street, drove through the east side of the building near the town’s water tower, and continued all the way through to the west wall of the barn-type building.
Three of the children were outside the preschool when they were hit. One was inside.
Six others were injured and taken to the hospital. Authorities have not released information on their conditions.
The building, a large red-roofed pole barn structure, showed visible signs of the crash.
A portion of the metal siding near the bottom of the west wall was pushed outward, appearing as though the car had forced its way through from inside.
In the aftermath, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker released a statement saying,
“My heart is heavy for these families and the unimaginable grief they’re experiencing—something that no parent should ever have to endure.”
My office is closely monitoring the situation and is ready to support in any way that we can. We are grateful for all the first responders assisting our community during this difficult time,” the governor concluded.
On Monday night, families gathered at Chatham Baptist Church, just a block away from the site of the crash.
The crash remains under investigation.
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