CREST HILL, Ill. (STMW) — A veteran deputy coroner was arrested for allegedly wrecking her car and was jailed on a drunken driving charge.
“Don’t you know who I am? I’m a deputy coroner,” 34-year-old Eryn Gray ranted at the southwest suburban Crest Hill cop who arrested her on charges of driving under the influence and resisting a peace officer, along with various traffic violations, according to police reports.
During her arrest, police said Gray fought against officers placing her in handcuffs. She also refused to allow Crest Hill police to fingerprint or photograph her, according to reports, and was uncooperative with staff at the county jail.
Gray reportedly tried to flex some political muscle, informing a police officer that Coroner Patrick “O’Neil will call and have your job.” O’Neil referred questions about Gray to Chief Deputy Coroner Robert Brenczewski, who said Gray has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation being conducted by the sheriff’s department.
Pat Barry, the sheriff’s department spokesman, said any information about the investigation would have to come from O’Neil’s office.
Brenczewski, who confirmed he was called and spoke to Gray while she was being arrested sometime after 1 a.m. March 3, said Gray was hired as a part-time deputy coroner in June 2006. She was made a full-time employee in July 2007.
Gray, who apparently also called O’Neil himself, warned the police she is “politically connected,” according to reports.
It was not made clear in the police reports who Gray is connected to politically. She did not respond to messages left at her front door, on her cell phone and on her pager.
Gray is due in court April 8, but Charles B. Pelkie, the spokesman for the state’s attorney’s office, said the case will be handled by another agency.
“At this point, because of the close professional relationship we have with the coroner’s office, we’ll be seeking a special prosecutor for the case,” Pelkie said.
Gray refused sobriety testing, police said. According to police reports, she said she consumed a single beer at an Essington Road tavern.
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