Driver who crashed car into Illinois after-school centre, killing four, identified

Children as young as four have been killed after a car ploughed through an after-school care building in Illinois. The driver has been identified.

The female driver who killed three young girls and an 18-year-old woman when she crashed into an Illinois after-school camp has been identified by police - but has still not been charged with any crimes.

Illinois State Police identified the driver on Tuesday morning as 44-year-old Marianne Akers, of Chatham, Illinois.

The tragic crash is still under investigation, and Akers has not been taken into custody, police said, according to the New York Post.

Car-ramming suspect Marianne Akers. Photo: Facebook

Akers allegedly ploughed her SUV into the after-school camp in Chatham, on Monday afternoon, killing four — two 7-year-olds, an 8-year-old and an 18-year-old.

Three of those killed were struck outside while another was hit inside when the car smashed through a wall and exited on the other side.

Six other children were hospitalised with injuries, including one who was removed by helicopter.

Damage to the building housing an after-school care centre.

Emergency workers at the scene. Picture: WCIA via AP

One victim remained in critical condition as of Tuesday morning, local time.

Police said toxicology reports are pending “but this does not appear to be a targeted attack.”

Akers was the only person in her car at the time. She did not suffer any injuries.

“This is an active investigation and no additional information is available at this time.” the agency said.

Chatham is about 12 miles south of the state capital, Springfield.

The dead ranged in age from 4 to 18 years old, Illinois State Police said, according to First Alert 4.

Governor JB Pritzker posted on social media that his team was monitoring the situation.

“As we continue to learn more, please follow the guidance of all local authorities,” he wrote. “Let’s wrap our arms around the community tonight as we receive updates on the situation.”

The Chatham Police Department called the incident a “terrible tragedy ... that has affected all of us.”

“If you believe in the power of prayer, please take a moment to pray right now for the entire Chatham community,” police said in a statement on Facebook.

– The story originally appeared in the New York Post.

Originally published as Driver who crashed car into Illinois after-school centre, killing four, identified