A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a Chatham after-school program where four students and a counselor were struck and killed by a vehicle nearly one year ago.
The lawsuit names YNOT Outdoors as well as the driver of the vehicle, Marianne Akers, and R and E Buildings LLC.
Attorney Lance Northcutt of Chicago filed the lawsuit on behalf the five people killed in the April 28, 2025 crash, 8-year-old Ainsley Johnson, 7-year-old Kathryn Corley, 7-year-old Alma Buehnerkempe, 8-year-old Bradley Lund and 18-year-old Rylee Britton.
The lawsuit alleges the YNOT structure built in 2012 in violation of safety codes at the time, including its location less than 100 feet from a highway and a lack of restraints to prevent a vehicle from hitting the building.
An Illinois State Police investigation determined Akers likely suffered a medical episode causing her vehicle to leave the road and strike the building. Charges were not filed against her.