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Rolling Meadows dad dies days after wrong-way crash that killed family

Rolling Meadows dad dies days after wrong-way crash that killed family

Already mourning the loss of members of a Rolling Meadows family, people who coached with Thomas Dobosz learned Wednesday he, too, has died as a result of injuries sustained in a wrong-way crash last weekend in McHenry County.

The 32-year-old Rolling Meadows father of four was being treated for serious injuries at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood after being flown there by helicopter early Sunday.

He was pronounced dead at 11:17 am Wednesday at the hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy has not been performed yet.

Illinois State Police and the organizer of a GoFundMe page for the family also confirmed Dobosz’s death Wednesday.

“We come with a heavy heart today with an update on Tom. Tom has gained his angel wings and is now with his amazing wife Lauren and precious children. We ask that you keep this family in your prayers. All proceeds are going to the family ,” wrote Lisa Torres of the Oriole Park Falcons, a youth travel football and cheer program that the family was involved in on the Chicago’s Northwest Side.

On their way to vacation at a family cabin in Minnesota, Dobosz was at the wheel of the family’s 2005 Chevrolet van traveling west on Interstate 90 near Hampshire when it was struck by a 2010 Acura TSX sedan traveling in the wrong direction. State troopers responded at 2:11 am Sunday to the scene, where the vehicles were engulfed in flames.

Six passengers in the van were killed: 31-year-old Lauren Dobosz, her four children — 13-year-old Emma, ​​7-year-old Lucas, 6-year-old Nicholas and 5-year-old Ella — and 13-year-old Katriona Koziara, who was a family friend.


        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

The driver of the Acura, 22-year-old Jennifer Fernandez of Carpentersville, also died. State police have only said she was traveling east in the westbound lanes “for unknown reasons.”

Kasia Koziara, mother of Katriona, told the Daily Herald Wednesday she is making funeral arrangements and hopes to have a memorial ceremony at a Rolling Meadows park soon. Affectionately known by family and friends as Kat, the teen was a student teacher who led classes and mentored students at the Prospect Heights-based Breaking Program, a breakdance group that offers dance classes and workshops.

“It’s very appreciated to support us as Katriona has been and always will be loved and remembered by many,” her mom said. “She deserves the best farewell I can do to celebrate her life and her heavenly future.”

On Wednesday evening, friends of Thomas Dobosz gathered for an impromptu memorial during football practice at Chicago’s Oriole Park. It was the same location where a balloon-release memorial was held Monday for the rest of the Dobosz family and Kat Koziara.

“Tom was very good with his hands as far as being a carpenter, a mechanic, electrical work — he was like a Jack of all trades,” said cheer coach Wanda Perez of Chicago.

According to Perez, Lauren and Thomas Dobosz met and became sweethearts at Ridgewood Community High School in Norridge. The couple later moved and raised their family in Rolling Meadows to help Lauren’s grandparents.

“They were so loving and caring and giving,” said Perez, who befriended Lauren and Tom Dobosz in 2013. “Our friendship extended beyond the coaching.”

A family member of the Dobosz’s confirmed Wednesday there are three online fundraising pages that have been set up on GoFundMe to help pay funeral and other expenses.

The Oriole Park Falcons’ fundraiser, gofundme.com/f/dobosz-family-funeral-expenses, has collected more than $98,000 for the Dobosz family.

The Rolling Meadows Police Department’s Hope Fund, gofundme.com/f/rmpd-hope-fund, has raised more than $43,000.

A page set up by Lauren Dobosz’s parents, gofundme.com/f/tom-and-lauren-dobosz-family, has collected nearly $26,000.

“I can’t imagine the pain and suffering that the Dobosz and Johns families are feeling,” Perez said. “I also send my sincere condolences to the family of Jennifer Fernandez, because I can’t imagine how they’re feeling and what they’re thinking. They suffered a loss as well.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

• Daily Herald staff writer Scott C. Morgan contributed to this report.

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Hampshire car crash: Father Thomas Dobosz dies days after I 90 accident in McHenry County that killed wife, children

Hampshire car crash: Father Thomas Dobosz dies days after I 90 accident in McHenry County that killed wife, children

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. (WL S) — A Rolling Meadows father hospitalized after a wrong-way I-90 crash that killed seven people, including his wife and four children in Hampshire, has died.

Thomas Dobosz, 32, was hospitalized at Loyola University Medical Center after the crash in McHenry County Sunday. A coach with the Oriole Park Falcons told ABC7 Wednesday that Dobosz died.

Investigators said just after 2 am Sunday, Dobosz was driving westbound on I-90 near Hampshire in a blue Chevy van when the driver of a gray Acura, identified as 22-year-old Jennifer Fernandez of Carpentersville, was driving in the opposite direction and collided with Dobosz’s vehicle head on. Both cars were totally engulfed in flames.

Troopers said they found Fernandez dead on scene, as well as all of Dobosz’s passengers, identified as 31-year-old Lauren Dobosz and five children: two 13-year-old girls, 7- and 6-year-old boys, and a 5-year-old girl.

RELATED: Woman crashes into van on I-90, killing 7, including 5 kids from Rolling Meadows: ISP

Neighbors in Rolling Meadows said four of them were the couple’s kids, Emma, ​​Lucas, Nicky and Ella. The other 13-year-old girl was a friend, relatives said.

The Oriole Park Falcons are a tightly knit community.

The Falcons return to the practice field for the first time Wednesday after that unthinkable crash over the weekend took the entire Dobosz family.

The coach of the team said his faith is what is sustaining him during this hard time.

“The belief in God. That there is a reason for this. That we all are in this together,” said Oriole Park football coach Sam Filpi.

Filpi said the Dobosz family was very involved with the Oriole Park Falcons football and cheer squads, whether it was volunteering, coaching, playing or fundraising.

“I just basically dropped my phone and I just couldn’t believe it,” Filpi said. “We didn’t know what to do. We didn’t know. You don’t know what to do in that situation.”

RELATED: Community devastated after 7 killed in Hampshire crash

Filpi coached two of their four kids and Lauren was the team mom.

“They were always there. And her as a team mom, they were always there. That’s commitment and love of a program, a love of the people in the program. That’s how we felt about them,” he said.

Even after moving 15 miles northwest to Rolling Meadows, Filpi said the Dobosz’ never missed a practice with their unwavering commitment.

“Lauren and Tom were like, ‘Hey, what do you guys need, we got it?’ Or the shed needs to be fixed up, Tom would go fix the door on the shed,” Filpi recalled.

As the Falcons prepare to take the field again, a small reminder of the Dubosz family legacy remains under the scoreboard.

“We are in this as a family, I mean Oriole Park football and cheerleading is a family,” Filpi added.

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‘Loving Family:’ Mother, 4 Children Who Were Among 7 Killed in Wrong-Way Crash Remembered – NBC Chicago

'Loving Family:' Mother, 4 Children Who Were Among 7 Killed in Wrong-Way Crash Remembered – NBC Chicago

A mother, her four children and two other people were killed early Sunday when a vehicle was hit head-on by a wrong-way driver along Interstate 90 in McHenry County, according to authorities.

One day after the tragedy, candles and stuffed toys lined the base of a tree outside the Rolling Meadows home where the family lived.

“It is a light, a candle and hopefully up in heaven they’ll see it,” said neighbor Jean Petryniec.

Lauren Dobosz and her four children – Emma, ​​13, Lucas, 7, Nicholas, 6, and Ella, 5, died when a wrong-way driver slammed into their van on Interstate 90 just west of the Illinois Route 23 interchange near Hampshire at approximately 2:11 a.m.

Both vehicles became engulfed in flames upon impact. Another 13-year-old riding in the van, as well as the driver of the car, died at the scene. The driver was identified as Jennifer Fernandez, 22, of Carpentersville, according to the Illinois State Police.

Thomas Dobosz, 32, who was driving the van, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to an area hospital.

Neighbors say the family was going on a vacation when the tragedy occurred.

Lauren worked as a bartender at Lulus, a gaming facility down the road from her home in Rolling Meadows.

The establishment’s general manager described the mother of four as a “very friendly” and “outgoing” person – someone he became friends with right away.

“I was shocked,” Kenny Felten said, recounting his response upon learning Lauren and her children died in the crash. “I was shaking, couldn’t believe it. You never think someone you know is going to be part of such a tragic event. Here we are.”

While she was well-liked by her colleagues, Lauren was passionate about, and spent much of her free time, as a cheerleading coach for the Oriole Park Falcons.

“She talked about it a lot, it was a big passion of hers,” Felten said. “We gotta remember her for that. It’s hard right now with everything that’s happened. Not to think about that, but we gotta remember she loved her kids, her family, being a part of their family, raising money for fundraisers and stuff like that .”

Dawn Brand, whose daughter attended school with the two 13-year-old girls, said “everyone is having a very hard time,” adding the “kids are all devastated.”

“I know they were very involved throughout the community,” she stated. “Everyone said they were a very loving family and involved in sports and stuff too. Everyone is taking it very bad.”

Lauren’s cheerleading team set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for funeral expenses, remembering the mother as “full of life and laughter” and her children as “spunky, sweet and sassy.”

“Lauren always made a great impression on everyone she met, she was full of life, laughter, and always a good time,” the team’s post read. “We’re going to miss you Lauren and your spunky, sweet, sassy kids and every so loved friend. We shall shine bright this year. Will miss you!”

Illinois State Police investigators are working to determine why the driver, Fernandez, was going in the wrong direction. Autopsies are expected to take place in the coming days.

Community Consolidated School District 15, which the children attended, said in a news release, “We are simply heartsick, and in both shock and mourning over the tragic loss of five students and one of parents.” Mental health professionals will be present throughout the week to provide assistance to anyone grapping with the loss, according to district officials.

A caregiver support training will also take place Aug. 2 to provide parents and staff with information and support regarding how to help children “during this difficult time,” according to the district.

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