Orland Park Trustee Hurt In Crash That Killed Parents On Mend: Report

ORLAND PARK, IL — An Orland Park trustee who was injured in a June 21 car crash that took her parents' lives is on the mend, but will likely not be in attendance for "a couple of meetings," Mayor Keith Pekau told The Chicago Tribune Tuesday.

Joni Radaszewski, 49, was driving the car that carried her father 77-year-old Adrian Spaargaren, and her mother, Kathleen Repsis, 73, when they were hit head-on by a car driven by Chris Haramija, 37, of Joliet. The crash happened near 143rd and Hillcrest Road, in Homer Glen.

Haramija faces charges of improper lane use, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and transportation of open alcohol, as previously reported by Patch.

According to the sheriff's office, preliminary reports show that Haramija was driving westbound on 143rd Street when his Nissan went into oncoming traffic, hitting a Lincoln SUV and then striking Radaszewski's Hyundai head-on, causing the engine compartment to catch fire.

The driver of the Lincoln, a 55-year-old man, refused medical treatment at the scene.

Radaszewski was hospitalized, and both of her parents were killed. Four others were also injured in the crash, police said.

The trustee posted publicly on her Facebook page July 3, addressing the crash for the first time.

For those of you not yet aware, my parents and I were involved in a tragic auto accident on Tuesday (6/21) which took their lives and sent me to the hospital.

We are planning a memorial service for my parents, Adrian “Mick” Spaargaren and Kathy Repsis later this summer once I have fully recovered. We will send the logistics once arrangements have been made.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Radaszewski is a recent addition to the Orland Park Village Board, having won election in spring 2021.