Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MILFORD - The death of a Milford man found unconscious in his parents' garage Sunday was ruled accidental by Elkhart County Coroner Jeannette Albert.
Robert J. Hapner, 34, of South Groves Street, Milford, inhaled a fatal amount of carbon monoxide while working on his vehicle in the garage at his parents' home, also on South Groves Street, Milford.
Hapner was found about 4:30 p.m. Sunday face down next to his car inside the locked garage. Rosemary Hapner told police that she broke a window to gain entry to the garage and found her son on the floor. The fuel tank of the vehicle was empty when police checked it. Also, all four tire valve stem caps were off and a pressure gauge was found next to Hapner.
Another relative told police that Hapner suffered occasional blackouts from not eating properly. It is not known whether Hapner blacked out or was overcome by the fumes and fell. A bruise on his forehead indicates an injury consistent with a fall, according to information provided by Albert for a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department report.
Assisting at the scene were Milford police and fire departments and Milford and Multi-Township emergency medical services.
