Family Of Teacher Killed In Hit-And-Run Sues Priest: Complaint

ORLAND PARK, IL — A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Paul Burak, 73, of Palos Heights, over claims of negligence. It seeks unspecified damages. Burak is accused of being behind the wheel when his vehicle fatally struck 61-year-old Margaret "Rone" Leja in the parking lot of an Orland Park restaurant. The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court on Dec. 20.

Burak was the retired pastor of St. Michael’s Church in Orland Park, where Leja was also employed as the technology teacher in the parish grammar school. Both had been attending a parish Christmas party on Dec. 4 at Square Celt Ale House & Grill in Orland Square. Leja and another teacher were walking to their cars in the parking lot when Burak hit the women in his 2016 gold Buick Regal and continued driving, according to police.

Leja was pronounced dead at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. The other teacher, who is not a party to the lawsuit, was released from the hospital the next day.

A witness reportedly followed Burak as he continued driving northbound on LaGrange Road. The witness told Burak to go back to the restaurant and took a picture of the priest's license plate. Burak returned to scene, described by Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy as "chaotic," but he did not disclose to police that he had struck Leja, according to the complaint.

The priest has been charged with aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of a fatal crash, both felonies. According to prosecutors, Burak told police he "blacked out" and was drunk after drinking a Manhattan and several glasses of wine.

Burak was released after posting ten percent of $10,000 bail, but was ordered to be on electronic monitoring. He is only allowed to leave his residence to go to medical appointments and court hearings.