Probe Continues Into Crash That Killed 8 On Interstate 90

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — The cause of a wrong-way collision that killed eight people on Interstate 90 in McHenry County last month remains under investigation.

The crash happened at about 2:10 a.m. on July 31 when a car traveling east in the westbound lanes of traffic on I-90 near Marengo hit a van, which was headed west on I-90, head-on. The driver of the car, Jennifer Fernandez, 22, of Carpentersville, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Those inside the van killed in the crash included the driver, Thomas Dobosz, 32; his wife, Lauren Dobosz, 31; their children, Emma, 13, Lucas, 7, Nicholas, 6, and Ella, 5; and a family friend, Katriona Koziara, 13. The van was on its way to a camping trip, according to a GiveSendGo fundraiser set up to help pay for the memorial expenses for Koziara.

As of Monday, the Illinois State Police had few new details to share regarding what led to the crash.

"Toxicology results are still pending with the McHenry County Coroner’s Office. Those results will typically take several weeks to receive," trooper Josh Robinson, a public information officer for the Illinois State Police, told Patch in an email response Monday. "No further information is available, and the investigation is ongoing."

The impact from the collision caused both the Dobosz's 2005 full-sized Chevrolet van and Fernandez's 2010 Acura TSX to become fully engulfed in flames. All of the passengers in the van and Fernandez were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Illinois State Police.

Thomas Dobosz was airlifted to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead days later at Loyola University Medical Center, according to authorities.

• Father Who Initially Survived I-90 Wrong-Way Crash Has Died

Lauren Dobosz was a cheer coach for the Oriole Park Falcons, which is a cheer and football program based on the northwest side of Chicago. Thomas was also involved in the program.

"Lauren always made a great impression on everyone she met, she was full of life, laughter, and always a good time," according to the GoFundMe created by a member of the Oriole Park Falcons. "We're going to miss you, Lauren, and your spunky, sweet, sassy kids."

As of Tuesday, more than $117,000 has been donated through the GoFundMe. Those funds have been given to Lauren's mother to help pay for funeral expenses and other expenses the family will need at this time, according to the GoFundMe.

The GiveSendGo fundraiser set up for the family of Katriona Koziara has brought in more than $17,000.

"Katriona was a fun-loving, athletic young girl that enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and 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," according to the GiveSendGo fundraising page.

The Dobosz family and Katriona Koziara were all Rolling Meadows residents. The city of Rolling Meadows has been collecting donations through its City of Rolling Meadows Hope Fund to help the families of those killed in the crash.

As of Tuesday, the GoFundMe set up by the city has brought in more than $54,000.

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