Carolyn Grey Remembered as Sweet Mom Who Touched Those She Knew

Jacki Carugati McHale had never met Carolyn Grey.

Wednesday, though, she picked some lavender from her garden and walked to the corner of Bell and Route 6 to leave flowers in Grey's memory.

"I did not know her," she said. "I'm one of the women who, maybe we played on the playground together."

McHale had her 3-year-old son with her.

"I don't know them but my heart has just been consumed for her," she said. "It could have been any of us.

"Grey was turning left from Route 6 to Bell Road Tuesday afternoon, when her SUV was hit by a semi. The truck impacted her passenger's side, pushing the SUV into a light pole.

Grey's neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, was occasionally consumed with grief while talking about Grey.

"She was the sweetest person," she said. "She was always in the yard playing with the kids."

Grey's neighbor said the mother was easy-going and kind.

Steve Zmudka witnessed the accident and was one of the people who helped cut the straps on the infant's car seat, removing her from the SUV.

Zmudka lives in Hunter's Crossing, as does McHale. He did not know Grey, but did attest to traffic problems on that corner. He has lived in the subdivision since it opened 12 years ago. With the traffic light, he said it is a little more controlled, but the truck traffic makes it dangerous.

Comforting others

Grey was a nurse who worked at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where one of her children was taken following the accident.

"Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with her family," said Provena St. Joseph marketing manager Rich Matula in a statement. "Carolyn was a valued employee and she will be missed."

The hospital had not released information about a memorial.

"At this time I think they may be working out the details," Matula said.

Carolyn Grey's family declined comments at this time.