Medical event may have played role in La Grange crash that killed 2, injured 3, police say
La Grange police are investigating whether a medical event may have played a role in a deadly car crash last week.
Seven vehicles were involved in the crash at 1:50 p.m. Friday at 47th Street and Willow Springs Road in La Grange. Police said a white SUV was speeding northbound on Willow Springs Road when it struck several vehicles near the intersection of 47th Street.
Five people were taken to the hospital, where two later died. They were identified as 51-year-old Brett Lane and his wife, 49-year-old Melissa Lane, from Hinsdale. Three others were injured.
Police said shortly before that crash, the same white SUV was involved in a collision in Western Springs, also on Willow Springs Road.
The SUV was not involved in a police chase at the time of the crash, La Grange police said. Investigators are looking into whether a medical event may have played a role in how the SUV's driver was operating the car at the time of the crashes.
The driver has not been identified, police said, pending further investigation.
An investigation into the crashes is ongoing, and no charges have yet been filed.
Victim Melissa and Brett Lane remembered as pillars of their church
A small memorial has been set up where Brett and Melissa Lane lost their lives. The Rev. Burke Masters of St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Hinsdale said the Lanes attended his church faithfully.
"It's been a horrible tragedy for our community to receive the news Friday," Masters said.
Fr. Masters said the couple was a pillar in his community.
"They were regulars here," said Fr. Masters. "So we have something called Be-Formed. It's an adult faith formation program. They're very involved in that. You see them, you know, at mass on a regular basis."
It has been a shock for many in Hinsdale after learning the Lanes died in the crash.
"When things like this happen, it affects the family, obviously, but it also affects the whole community," said Fr. Masters, "and so it affects me personally, because I know them, and I'm grieving as an individual, but then also have to be present to the community and help us walk this journey together."
Fr. Masters said the couple leaves behind five children and a legacy that will never be forgotten.
"Just as Jesus rose from the dead, we believe that those who believe in Him will do also," he said, "and the Lane family and all of their extended family are strong believers as well, and that's helping them and all of us get through this."
Fr. Masters said funeral services for the Lanes will be held Wednesday, and he is leaning on his faith to lead him on the right things to say.
"Family and faith, I'm sure, are going to be very important parts of what I say, because that's what they stood for — and will continue to stand for through their children," Masters said.
The Lane family has asked for privacy while grieving.
