Rolling Meadows Mom Who Died In Crash That Killed 7 Was Cheer Coach

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A 31-year-old mother, who died along with her four children early Sunday in a fiery collision on Interstate 90, was a cheerleading coach in the Chicago area.

Lauren Dobosz, 31, and her children, Emma, Lucas, Nicholas and Ella, were killed in the crash that happened at about 2:10 a.m. Sunday, when a car traveling east in the westbound lanes of traffic hit the Dobosz's van head-on, according to authorities and a GoFundMe set up for the family. A fifth child in the van, a 13-year-old girl who was a friend of the Dobosz family, was also killed.

The crash happened on Interstate 90 west of Route 23 near Marengo.

The driver of the car, who has been identified as Jennifer Fernandez, 22, of Carpentersville, died as well.

The driver of the van, Thomas Dobosz, 32, of Rolling Meadows, was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries, police said. He is currently "fighting for his life" and is in critical condition, according to a Monday news release from the city of Rolling Meadows.

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.

"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 Monday, more than $32,000 has been donated through the GoFundMe.

On Sunday evening, a balloon release and prayers were held in memory of Lauren and her children at Oriole Park, according to the Oriole Park Falcons Facebook page.

On Monday, the city of Rolling Meadows began accepting donations through its City of Rolling Meadows Hope Fund and all money will go directly to the Rolling Meadows families of the crash victims, according to a news release. As of Monday evening, the GoFundMe set up by the city has brought in nearly $5,500.

"On behalf of the City of Rolling Meadows, our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families of the victims of this tragedy," according to the news release.

Neighbors of the Dobosz family said they have lived for about 10 years at their home on Owl Drive in Rolling Meadows, according to NBC Chicago. The couple cared for the children's elderly grandparents, who lived in the home as well, neighbors told NBC Chicago Sunday.

The driver of the car has been identified as Jennifer Fernandez, 22, of Carpentersville, according to the news release.

Authorities say it's unclear why the car was driving the wrong way on Interstate 90 at the time of the crash, authorities said. The collision happened at about 2:10 a.m. Sunday, and all westbound lanes of Interstate 90 near milepost 33 were closed until 9:30 a.m.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Autopsies will be conducted on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for those killed in the crash, according to the McHenry County Coroner's Office.

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