Man's death in Butler ruled accidental
The death of a man whose body was found Saturday morning in Sullivan Run in Butler has been ruled accidental.
Joshua T. Hepler, 30, of Butler died of a severe head injury that he suffered possibly after he tripped and fell into the stream which is near the outfield of Kelly Automotive Park, said Butler County Coroner William Young III.
Young said the ruling followed an autopsy conducted Saturday evening.
Hepler’s body was discovered about 9 a.m. near the swinging bridge where West Diamond Street meets Sullivan Run. The only visible injury he had when found was a bump on his head, authorities said.
Young pronounced Hepler dead at the scene.
Hepler may have been walking home when he apparently fell and hit his head, Young said. Hepler lived nearby on Virginia Avenue.
Toxicology reports are still pending but alcohol or drugs were not believed to be contributing factors in the death, Young said.
“We’re still investigating,” Butler Deputy Police Chief David Adam said this morning. “We don’t have all the information yet.”
He released no further details about the police investigation.
