By Jon Seidel
Chicago Sun-Times
CHICAGO — Will County Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak wasn’t swayed by a Rosemont paramedic’s claim that the sleep aid Ambien made him involuntarily drink, drive and cause a crash last year that injured an 18-year-old woman.
She found 43-year-old Thomas Gatz of Shorewood guilty Wednesday of aggravated driving under the influence. His attorney, Peter Petrakis, later said he’s disappointed but respects the judge’s ruling.
“This guy’s been a public servant for a long time,” Petrakis said.
Gatz previously worked as a paramedic and firefighter in River Forest, according to court records, but he now works for the Rosemont Fire Department. Petrakis said the conviction will likely end Gatz’s career.
He said Gatz didn’t drink alcohol before going to bed July 27, 2010, but took two Ambien pills. The next thing Gatz remembered, he said, was waking up in a hospital.
Authorities said Gatz drove his 2010 gray Honda Civic in his underwear that night, going east in the westbound lanes of West Jefferson Street in Joliet. He hit a Pontiac driven by Gail Darm and a Toyota driven by Lauren Eklund in the 3000 block of West Jefferson.
Eklund’s passenger, Valerie DeCamp, suffered multiple fractures in her arm and needed surgery.
“He feels terrible about the young girl,” Petrakis said.
Gatz’s blood alcohol content after the crash was between 0.103 and 0.107, according to court records. He had broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a concussion.
Though his attorney said Gatz doesn’t remember drinking, he said Gatz kept a bottle of vodka on a refrigerator door feet from the cabinet where he kept his car keys.
A doctor testified Gatz could have involuntarily drank the alcohol and gotten behind the wheel of his car after taking his Ambien.
This was the second time Gatz had trouble with the drug. He was ticketed in Shorewood in April 2010 for driving under its influence.
But that time, court records show, he intentionally got into his car fully dressed and drove into two light poles once his Ambien kicked in. That case was dismissed at trial.
Gatz is expected back in court Jan. 16.
Copyright 2011 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc