Expand / Collapse search
☰

Rolling Meadows father dies at hospital after I-90 crash killed his family over the weekend

By Elizabeth Matthews and FOX 32 Digital Staff
Published  August 3, 2022 3:22pm EDT
Illinois
FOX 32 Chicago

Rolling Meadows father dies after crash killed his family over the weekend

Tom Dobosz has passed away at the hospital after his wife and four children were killed in a two-vehicle crash on I-90 over the weekend.

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. - A Rolling Meadows father who was critically injured in a two-vehicle wrong-way crash that killed his wife and four children, and another child who was a family friend, has died.

Around 2 a.m. on Sunday, the family's minivan collided with a car on I-90 in McHenry County and burst into flames. The mother and five children inside were all killed. The wrong-way driver was also found dead at the scene.

Among those killed in the crash were 31-year-old Lauren Dobosz and her four kids — Ella, 5; Nicholas, 7; Lucas, 8; and Emma, 13. The family friend — identified on a fundraising page as 13-year-old Kationa — was also killed.

The fundraising page said Kationa had "an undeniable passion and talent for break dancing. She was in the prime of her youth and always seen with a smiling face and positive attitude."

SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 32 CHICAGO ON YOUTUBE

Tom Dobosz, 32, had survived the crash and was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. However, Illinois State Police on Wednesday said Tom has now passed away.

"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," said Lisa Torres, organizer of the family's GoFundMe page.

Rolling Meadows community comes together to raise funds for mom, 5 kids killed in crash

A mother and her four kids were killed in the crash along with another child, and the wrong-way driver was also found dead at the scene. The father of the family is hospitalized.

The wrong-way driver was identified as 22-year-old Jennifer Fernandez of Carpentersville. The investigation is still ongoing as to why she was heading the wrong way.

The family was on their way to a vacation in Minnesota when Fernandez, driving an Acura, collided with the minivan in the westbound lanes of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway at Anthony Road, near rural Riley, according to the Illinois State Police.

Neighbors say the family will be missed. Both parents were heavily involved in their kids athletic lives of football and cheer within the Oriole Park Falcons organization.

The city of Rolling Meadows is creating a Hope Fund for the families involved.

"The Hope Fund was recently established by the city council, and it's an opportunity that enables residents of the community if they're interested to assist victims of disasters, domestic violence, child abuse or other significant tragedies or hardships that necessitate the need for financial assistance. So the city of Rolling Meadows is creating a specific page for this issue and it can be found on the city's homepage," said Rolling Meadows Mayor Joe Gallo.

The Hope Fund can be found HERE.

"It's my intent that the residents or others in neighboring communities find it within themselves to contribute and assist at this time of hardship," said Gallo.

The Palatine Township Elementary District 15 had announced they will be offering counseling sessions Tuesday through Thursday at Central Road School in Rolling Meadows.

The Illinois State Police has not released more information on the crash, citing a "very active and ongoing investigation."

Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.