Oak Lawn Family Of 4 Dies In Ireland While Driving To Funeral

OAK LAWN, IL - An Oak Lawn couple and their two sons were killed this week when a semitrailer collided with their rented vehicle in Ireland, where they had traveled to attend a family member’s wake and funeral.

The four — Lily Ryan-Alexander, her husband, Doug Alexander, and their two sons, Doug Alexander Jr. and Stephen Alexander — died on impact around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4, just hours after landing abroad, according to an Irish Mirror article.

The Alexanders were reportedly making a U-Turn in their rented BMW 5-series when they were sideswiped by an oncoming truck in County Wexford, a South-East region area of Ireland. The four were on their way to a wake for Lily’s sister, Winnie Keevey, at the time.

“The tragedy has rocked the Alexander’s home community of Oak Lawn in suburban Chicago, Illinois, to which Lily had emigrated from Patrickswell in (County) Limerick,” Irish Mirror reports. “ … The funeral of Mrs. Keevey went ahead on Tuesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after tragedy struck. Now the heartbroken family (is) preparing to bury another four loved ones.”

Lily and Doug, each 75, were in the vehicle’s back seat at the time of the crash while Doug Jr., 52, and Stephen, 49, were in front. Stephen was a Bolingbrook police officer and Doug Jr. played in the Chicago-area band, Network.

“I am at a great loss tonight,” said Robert Cesario, Doug Jr.’s friend and bandmate, in a Facebook post. “… I've lost my friend, his parents and his brother. Doug Alexander (has) been my friend since he started playing guitar (with) our band, Network. This gentle soul was one of my best friends. We lived together, he (opened) his doors for me when I was going through bad times … We had many laughs and great times. This is so sudden; a real shock to everyone. Rest in peace, Dougie. You are in my heart forever. You have always been my little brother.”

Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar told Patch that the village is still in the process of piecing together factual information about the tragedy. He pointed out that Officer Stephen Alexander’s death comes just one month after Bolingbrook mourned the unexpected loss of Leroy Brown Sr., Bolingbrook's deputy mayor and longtime community icon.

"We're just coming off the unfortunate situation with Leroy Brown," Claar said. "It's not been a very good year here. This is out of left field for us. I've heard nothing but good things about (Stephen Alexander). He was a great guy, a popular guy, competent. He was a well-liked guy. We've lost a fine officer."

Photo courtesy of Robert Cesario's Facebook page.