No Criminal Charges In La Grange Fatal Crash That Killed Hinsdale Couple

LA GRANGE, IL – Cook County prosecutors have decided against filing criminal charges in a La Grange crash that resulted in the deaths of a Hinsdale couple.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained the 93-page police report from La Grange police.

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Police had requested prosecutors consider reckless homicide and aggravated DUI charges against the driver, 46-year-old Bozena Slimak of Hickory Hills, according to the report.

In March, an assistant state's attorney rejected both charges because they could not meet the burden of proof.

The prosecutor said "overwhelming" evidence and "consistent" witness accounts supported the fact that Slimak had experienced a health event with no known medical history, the report said.

During the afternoon of April 25, 2025, Slimak struck several cars near and within the intersection of 47th Street and Willow Springs Road, including the car occupied by Hinsdale residents Brett Allen Lane, 51, and Melissa Ann Lane, 49, La Grange police said. The Lanes died.

'Altered awareness'

At the time, police said they were considering the possibility that a health issue may have played a role in the driver's conduct.

In the report, a responding officer said Slimak showed signs of "altered awareness, appearing confused and disoriented regarding her surroundings and the recent collision."

Police were told that Slimak, a housekeeper, was going from a cleaning job to a store when the crashes occurred.

Her daughter said her mother had no known medical issues, did not take prescription or illegal drugs, and only drank alcohol occasionally in social settings, according to the report.

By early May 2025, Slimak retained a lawyer, Katherine Levine. The attorney told a detective that her client's urine contained opiates, but they likely came from poppy seeds she ate over the Easter holiday, the report said.

Police were unable to get an interview with Slimak, the report indicates.

Police said codeine and morphine were found in Slimak's urine. But the analysis showed the drugs were a "trace amount" with a "low concentration," inconsistent with active intoxication, according to the report.

Police chase?

In May 2025, top police officials met with attorney Lance Northcutt, who represents the Lane family.

Northcutt suggested a police pursuit of Slimak may have caused the crash, so he suggested an independent agency, such as the state police, investigate the case.

He was under the impression that a "Pleasantview Police Department" was chasing Slimak, according to the report.

Although such an agency does not exist, someone mentioned a "Pleasantview PD" in the radio messages that Northcutt had reviewed.

The Pleasantview Fire District had stopped to treat Slimak, but she then sped away and crashed into the Lanes' car, according to public records.

Northcutt, who is with the Salvi Schostok law firm, went on to sue the fire district. The lawsuit alleges that the district is liable because it failed to prevent Slimak from driving again.

In the investigation, police asked numerous witnesses about the alleged chase, but could find no such evidence, according to the report.

Police Chief Timothy Griffin asked state police if they wanted to handle the case. Based on the facts of the case, a state police official declined to take it, the report said.

'Subject of litigation'

Since the case closed in March, La Grange officials have stayed publicly quiet about the outcome.

In April and July, Patch asked Village Manager Jack Knight, who acts as the police department's spokesperson, about the status of the investigation. He had not indicated it was finished.

On July 8, Knight wrote, "The case remains the subject of litigation. We will reach out to the attorneys who represent the Village regarding your inquiry."

He was referring to a lawsuit filed by Dawn Mack, who was among the crash victims. She sued the La Grange police and fire departments, as well as five other area agencies.

A dozen days after Patch's inquiry, Knight said the village had been advised not to comment because of the litigation.

On July 22, Patch filed a request for the full report.