La Grange Goes Silent On Fatal Crash Investigation

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange is going silent on the investigation into the fatal crash that resulted in the deaths of a Hinsdale couple in April 2025.

Asked about the status of the inquiry, Village Manager Jack Knight said he wanted to check with the village's lawyers before commenting.

Later, he told Patch, "We have been advised not to comment as it is the subject of ongoing litigation."

Since the April 25, 2025, crash, Patch has published an update every few months, asking the village about where the investigation stands.

Previously, the village had said the inquiry was continuing, calling it a complex set of circumstances.

It is unclear why litigation would prevent the village from giving the status of the investigation.

Patch emailed Knight on Monday about whether the crash investigation report was available through a public records request. He did not respond.

On Wednesday, Patch filed a request for the document, in case the inquiry is finished.

During the afternoon of April 25, 2025, a driver 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.

At the time, police said they were considering the possibility that a health issue may have played a role in the driver's conduct. The driver's name was not released, but recent litigation revealed her name as Bozena Slimak.

In April, Dawn Mack sued seven agencies, including the La Grange police and fire departments. She was the driver in one of the other crashes that the lawsuit said involved Slimak.

The same month, the Lane family filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Besides Slimak, the lone defendant was the Pleasantview Fire Protection District.