Gurnee man dies a week after police say he grabbed semi

Authorities say they are investigating the death of a Gurnee man who grabbed the side of a semitrailer truck as it was headed onto northbound Route 41 in the village and was run over by it.

Lake County Deputy Coroner Orlando Portillo said Friday that alcohol intoxication may have been a contributing factor in the death of Jose Medina, 29. Medina died Thursday at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

Gurnee police Cmdr. Jay Patrick said a driver called 911 at 8:35 p.m. April 18 when she was on Grand Avenue at Route 41 and reported seeing Medina waving his arms and then run toward the semi as it went from Grand up the northbound ramp to Route 41.

Medina “was kind of going along with the truck,” then went under it, Patrick said. He said the 53-year-old truck driver stopped and got out immediately.

“The truck driver had seen (Medina) in the mirror and also saw him touch the trailer,” Patrick said.

Patrick said police are investigating and that no tickets have been issued to the semi driver.

Portillo said the coroner’s office is awaiting toxicology results for Medina.