The driver who killed an entire Rolling Meadows family when driving the wrong way on Interstate 90 this summer in McHenry County had more than twice the legal amount of alcohol in her blood at the time, a coroner’s report found.
Jennifer Fernandez, 22, of Carpentersville, had a blood alcohol content of 0.164, the McHenry County coroner’s office reported, more than double the 0.08 mark in Illinois law that defines driving under the influence.
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Killed in the crash were Thomas Dobosz, 32, his wife, Lauren Dobosz, 31, and their four children — Emma, 13, Lucas, 7, Nicholas, 6, and Ella, 5.
Emma’s 13-year-old friend, Kat Koziara, who was riding with the Dobosz family on their way to a planned vacation in Minnesota, also died in the crash.
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A full autopsy and toxicology found Fernandez died of blunt force injuries from the crash. No other drugs were found in her system, the coroner said Monday.
The crash happened just west of the Illinois Route 23 interchange near Hampshire about 2 a.m. July 31, when Fernandez drove an Acura TSX sedan east in the westbound lanes into the path of the Dobosz’ Chevrolet van, causing both vehicles to burst into flames, police said.
Lauren Dobosz had been cheer coach for the Oriole Park Falcons, a youth travel football and cheer program on Chicago’s Northwest Side. The group sponsored a GoFundMe page that stated it had raised $117,000 for the family’s funeral expenses.
The cheer group reported that it won the under-12 championship this year in the Northern Illinois United Youth Football League.
The group posted this message to their coach: “Lauren always made a great impression on everyone she met, she was full of life, laughter, and always a good time. We’re going to miss you Lauren and your spunky, sweet, sassy kids and every so loved friend. We shall shine bright this year. Will miss you!”
