CHATHAM, Ill. (WLS) — Illinois State Police reported that the driver involved in a fatal after-school camp accident may have experienced a sudden medical issue.
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The crash happened at the YNOT After School Camp, located at 301 Breckenridge Road, around 3:20 p.m. on Monday.
Four young girls and an 18-year-old were killed in the crash.
Other children were taken to area hospitals, ISP said some have already been released.
ISP initially said the driver, who was the only person inside the SUV, was taken to a local hospital for evaluation but was not injured.
The driver, a 44-year-old woman, is not in custody and has not faced any charges, ISP said.
On Thursday, ISP said investigators found a possibility that the driver could have experienced a medical emergency leading to the deadly crash.
ISP said the driver tested negative for alcohol and control substances.
Authorities identified the four individuals killed in the crash as Ainsley Johnson, 8, Kathryn Corley, 7, Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, all from Chatham, and 18-year-old Rylee Britton from Springfield, according to the Sangamon County coroner.
Governor JB Pritzker ordered flags at half-staff to honor the victims until the sunset of Saturday, May 3.
The driver, who was previously employed by the Illinois State Police, had served in the agency from June 2006 to August 2018, as confirmed by an ISP spokesperson.
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