Prospect Heights man crushed at Condell

A 26-year-old employee of Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville was killed when several sheets of lead-lined drywall fell on top of him in a hospital storage area, authorities said Wednesday.

The heavier-than-normal drywall fell on Raymond Zalewa and crushed his chest Tuesday evening, Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller said.

Zalewa was pronounced dead at the hospital at 11:40 p.m., Keller said. Results of an autopsy performed Wednesday were not available.

Vincent Pierri, a spokesman from Condell, said he could not comment, except to say Zalewa worked in the hospital's environmental services department.

“We are mourning the loss of a well-respected employee and our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the family,” he said in an e-mailed statement. “Our team is continuing an investigation into this tragedy.”

Pierri said over the phone there has been no indication of any criminal wrongdoing in the incident. He declined to give more information about the status of the investigation.

“I hesitate to talk about the details before the investigation wraps up,” Pierri said.

Keller said the lead-lined drywall sheets were used during renovation of an X-ray room.

“It's also exceptionally heavy,” he said. “So, when only a couple of pieces fell over, it was heavy enough to crush him.”

Keller said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been contacted and is investigating the accident.