MARENGO, ILLINOIS — What began as a family road trip to a vacation cabin ended in one of the most heartbreaking highway tragedies in recent Illinois history.
Thomas Dobosz, 32, his wife Lauren Dobosz, 31, their four children — Emma Dobosz, 13, Lucas Dobosz, 8, Nicholas «Nicky» Dobosz, 7, and Ella Dobosz, 5 — along with Emma’s close friend, Katriona «Kat» Koziara, 13, all ultimately l0st their l1v3s following a devastating wrong-way collision on Interstate 90 in McHenry County.
According to the Illinois State Police, the family was traveling westbound near Marengo during the early morning hours of July 31, 2022, on their way to a vacation in Minnesota when a vehicle traveling the wrong direction slammed head-on into their van.
The violent impact caused both vehicles to burst into flames, leaving emergency crews facing a catastrophic scene.
Authorities identified the wrong-way driver as Jennifer Fernandez, 22, of Carpentersville, Illinois, who also p4ss3d 4w4y in the collision.
A later investigation by the McHenry County Coroner’s Office concluded that Fernandez had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.164, more than twice Illinois’ legal driving limit at the time of the crash.
Lauren Dobosz, her four children, and Katriona Koziara were pronounced d34d at the scene. Thomas Dobosz survived the initial impact and was airlifted to Loyola University Medical Center, where doctors fought to save his life.
Despite those efforts, he p4ss3d 4w4y several days later, leaving no immediate survivors from the family’s vehicle.
The Dobosz family was well known in Rolling Meadows, where Lauren Dobosz volunteered as a cheerleading coach with the Oriole Park Falcons youth program, while Thomas Dobosz supported the football organization and community events.
Their children were active participants in youth football and cheerleading, and Katriona «Kat» Koziara was remembered for her passion for breakdancing and mentoring younger students.
Funeral services drew hundreds of relatives, friends, neighbors, and community members who gathered to honor Thomas Dobosz, Lauren Dobosz, Emma Dobosz, Lucas Dobosz, Nicholas Dobosz, Ella Dobosz, and Katriona Koziara.
The tragedy continues to be cited as one of Illinois’ most devastating wrong-way crashes and remains a painful reminder of the consequences of impaired driving and the importance of roadway safety.