(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Heart disease is the preliminary cause of death for a Cook County Sheriff's sergeant who died Sunday in a car crash in Elgin.
The Kane County Coroner, Rob Russell, said Wednesday that Cook County Sheriff's Sgt. Gary Newsom was apparently unresponsive before his vehicle veered across lanes of traffic in Elgin and hit a utility pole.
"All indications are right now that this is going to be a natural death. He actually had some heart issues and passed away before the crash, actually."
Newsom was off-duty at the time of the crash.
"From all indications he was an absolute great guy, a gentleman. Had a great career and loved by many."
Sgt. Newsom was 49 years old.