Driver Crashes into Daycare in the United States, Four Dead Including Children

A driver crashed into a daycare in northern United States on Monday, killing four people including children, police reported.

"At this time, we can confirm that four individuals aged between 4 and 18 years have died," stated the Illinois police in a press release, noting that a car hit and went through a daycare in Chatham, a small town in Illinois. They did not specify whether the incident was intentional.

"The driver, the only occupant of the vehicle, was injured and taken to a local hospital," the police added.

Several others were injured and transported to the hospital, one by helicopter.

The state governor, JB Pritzker, expressed in a statement on X that he was "horrified and deeply saddened."

"Parents said goodbye to their children this morning without knowing it would be the last time. My heart is heavy for these families and the unimaginable grief they are experiencing — something no parent should have to endure," he wrote.

Authorities were alerted at 3:20 PM local time (8:20 PM GMT) after a driver crashed into the daycare, passing through and exiting the other side.

Among the victims, three were struck outside the building and one inside.

The Illinois police have launched an investigation.

© Agence France-Presse