1 Teacher Dead, Another Injured In Orland Park Hit-And-Run

ORLAND PARK, IL —The Orland Park Police Department is urging the driver to come forward after a hit-and-run crash Wednesday night claimed the life of a Catholic school teacher and injured her coworker.

"I talked to the teachers' principal last night. Teachers are the fabric of our community. What could be worse?" Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy said during a news conference Thursday morning. "We recommend the person turn themselves in as soon as possible. Don’t wait until we find you, because we will."

St. Michael School in Orland Park has identified the woman killed in the hit-and-run as 61-year-old Rone Leja, a technology teacher at the school. Leja was a Tinley Park resident, according to the Will County Coroner's office.

The school identified the other woman as 54-year-old Elizabeth Kosteck, a third-grade teacher.

According to the school, both teachers were leaving a Christmas party at the time of the incident. Shortly after it happened, Paul Smith, principal at St. Michael School, sent parents the following message:

It is with great sadness and shock that I send this message. This evening after our Parish Christmas party Mrs. Elizabeth Kosteck and Ms. Rone (Margaret) Leja were walking to their cars and were struck by a vehicle. They were taken to the hospital and while Mrs. Kosteck sustained injuries, Ms. Leja passed away. The faculty and parish priests are currently at Silver Cross hospital gathered in prayer for our colleagues.

In light of this event, we will have a 9 am start tomorrow, Thursday. Because of this, there will be no morning bus service. Our faculty is grieving the loss of their dear friend and colleague and will be gathering privately before school opens.

Upon the children’s arrival, we will have a prayer service led by Fr. Frank.

Around 8 p.m. Wednesday, police said they received multiple 911 calls reporting an accident with injuries on a service road just north of Square Celt Ale House & Grill at the Orland Square Mall. When officers arrived at the scene, they said they found several good Samaritans attempting to help the two victims, who were ultimately transported to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

On Thursday morning, McCarthy said his investigators are continuing to gather videos from stores in the area.

"We have significant leads already that we’re working on, but we’re not going to speak about (that)," McCarthy said. "We have video of the vehicle coming out of the parking lot of Square Celt restaurant, which made a left turn going west toward La Grange Road and then struck the two women."

McCarthy said his department is working to enhance what video they do currently have and would only describe the driver's automobile as a "light vehicle." Based on a reconstruction of the accident by his department, the police chief added that it was highly unlikely the driver was not aware that he or she hit the two teachers.

"I strongly doubt it, based on what our accident reconstructionists tell us at this time," McCarthy said.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the vehicle or the driver is asked to contact Orland Park Police at 708-349-4111 or crimetips@orlandpark.org.