Tragic Daycare Crash in Illinois Claims Lives of Ainsley Johnson and Alma Buhnerkempe
On April 28, 2025, a devastating incident occurred in Chatham, Illinois, when a vehicle crashed into a daycare and after-school care center, claiming the lives of four young individuals and injuring six others. Among the victims were 8-year-old Ainsley Grace Johnson, lovingly called "Squirt," and 7-year-old Alma Buhnerkempe, both residents of Chatham. The tragedy unfolded just before 3:30 p.m., as a large SUV, driven by a 44-year-old woman, veered off Walnut Street, crossed a farm field, and struck the building at high speed, exiting through the opposite wall. Ainsley’s father, Todd Johnson, described her as "larger than life," a vibrant presence whose absence leaves an irreplaceable void. Alma’s mother, Billie Buhnerkempe, remembered her as a "ray of sunshine," a sweet and outgoing child who loved sports, travel, and fiercely supported her brother with autism. Also lost were 18-year-old Rylee Britton of Springfield and 7-year-old Kathryn Corley of Chatham.
The Chatham community has been left reeling from this profound loss, with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker expressing his sorrow and offering condolences to the grieving families. The driver, uninjured in the crash, was evaluated at a hospital and remains out of custody as authorities investigate the cause, with toxicology reports pending. Jamie Loftus of Y.N.O.T. Outdoors underscored the need for compassion and respect for the families, noting, "They are friends and their kids are like our kids."
