Sawyer County vehicle fire death was accident; no ID yet on victim

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 8:34 PM

The death of a man found in a burning vehicle near Hayward, Wis., was accidental, the Sawyer County Sheriff's Office said on Thursday.

Authorities were called about 4:15 a.m. Wednesday about a vehicle fire about 20 miles east of Hayward on County Hwy. B. When the fire was put out, the body was found inside.

The Ramsey County medical examiner's office determined that the man died of smoke inhalation, according to a statement from Chief Deputy Tim Zeigle.

The man has yet to be positively identified, but authorities believe he was a 65-year-old Hayward man who owned the property and had been living lately in a 1992 Chevrolet Suburban.

VINCE TUSS

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