Deerfield woman dies 12 days after crash at Wheeling post office

A Deerfield woman died Sunday, almost two weeks after she was involved in a crash in the parking lot of the Wheeling post office, according to reports.

Joan W. Gerrard, 86, was attempting to back out of a parking space at the U.S. Post Office at 250 W. Dundee Road about 3:10 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, when she apparently got stuck on a curb, police said.

Gerrard then drove her 2005 Chevy Equinox over the curb and accelerated, sideswiping a car and crashing into a chain-link fence and several trees, according to police.

First responders took her to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. At the time, Gerrard had injuries not considered to be life-threatening, Deputy Chief Todd Wolff said.

Gerrard died early Sunday morning at the hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. An autopsy Tuesday determined she died as a result of multiple injuries from an automobile striking fixed objects.