Mother and father of 5 killed in serious La Grange crash remembered as 'beautiful parents'
The SUV that struck Brett and Melissa Lane's vehicle was involved in two earlier crashes near the scene on Friday, police said.
LA GRANGE, Ill. (WLS) -- A serious west suburban crash killed a mother and father of five children on Friday afternoon, police confirmed on Monday.
Flowers now adorn the spot where the crash, which involved at least seven vehicles, happened in La Grange, on the Western Springs border, just before 2 p.m. Friday.
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La Grange police said moments before the collision, the Western Springs Police Department was responding to two other crashes involving a white SUV on Willow Springs Road.
As police approached the area, that white SUV, seen speeding northbound on Willow Springs Road, struck multiple vehicles, including one carrying a married Hinsdale couple, near the 47th Street intersection.
Chopper 7 was over the scene around 4:20 p.m., and the intersection was shut down for some time.
Brett Lane, 51, and Melissa Lane, 49, were killed in the crash. According to their obituary, they leave behind five children, who are in their late teens and mid-20s.
They're pillars of our community. Very faithful people. Five beautiful children. It's been sad and tragicFather Burke Masters
Described as a faith-filled couple that was deeply involved with their church, St. Isaac Jogues Father Burke Masters paid tribute to the Lanes on Monday.
"They're pillars of our community. Very faithful people. Five beautiful children. It's been sad and tragic," Masters said. "Beautiful marriage and beautiful parents as well. I can't say enough good about the people that they were and the legacy that will continue on through them here at the church and through their family."
The Lanes were active at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Hinsdale, where their funeral will be held on Wednesday.
"You see them, you know, at Mass on a regular basis, and just very humble, quiet, but joy-filled people," Masters said.
Brett Lane worked as an executive at a digital infrastructure company called Panduit.
"Brett's passion for innovation was truly contagious, touching everyone who had the privilege of working with him," Panduit President and CEO Shannon McDaniel said in a statement. "Over his 25-year career in engineering and product management at Panduit, he was a tireless champion for curiosity, invention, and excellence."
At least three other people were injured in the crash.
Investigators also shut down rumors that there might have been a police chase at the time of the crash.
Police said they are evaluating all of the facts and evidence, including a possibility that the white SUV's driver was suffering from a medical episode at the time.
At this time, no charges have been filed in connection with the crash.
Police are withholding the identity of the driver pending further investigation.
La Grange police asked anyone with information to call them at 708-579-2333.
