CHICAGO (September 7, 2023) – On Wednesday, attorneys for a woman who was injured in an Orland Park fatal hit and run crash involving a drunk priest appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing.
According to the complaint, St. Michael’s Catholic Church Rev. Paul Burak is accused of killing Orland Park teacher, Margaret “Rone” Leja, and injuring her colleague Elizabeth Kosteck after leaving a Christmas party at an Orland Park restaurant. Burak was charged with driving under influence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident, both felonies.
Ms. Kosteck filed a lawsuit through her attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard against Burak. Ms Kosteck’s attorneys have requested to seek punitive damages against the Archdiocese of Chicago and will also be seeking leave to call Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, at trial as a witness based on new disclosures that the archdiocese has filed in this case.
Burak died in 2021 and was replaced as a defendant by Mark Burak, special administrator of the late priest’s estate. The case is set for trial on Nov. 6.
