An autopsy this morning determined a Poplar Bluff, Mo., man had a heart-related event that led to his car crashing into a wooded area behind Raben Tire.
Police officials had presumed a "medical issue" transpired involving Arthur N. Cole, 76, of the 2200 block of Orr Street that caused the "chain of events" Thursday morning.
"The autopsy confirmed our thoughts that he passed away from a heart/aorta event," said Butler County Coroner Andy Moore. "That is what actually caused his death. Everything past (that) was just subsequent.
"We believe (the results are) pretty conclusive," and Cole was dead before his car caught fire.
Cole, according to police Cpl. Shonna Grobe's accident report, was operating a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu eastbound in the parking lot of St. Andrew Lutheran Church when it "went over a curb, up a grassy embankment and proceeded several feet into a wooded area until it came to rest on a tree.
"Upon impact, (Cole's car) caught fire."
It was a report of smoke in the area of Kroger in the 2700 block of North Westwood Boulevard at about 8:10 a.m. Thursday that led firefighters to the scene of a vehicle fire.
The car, according to a report by Poplar Bluff Fire Capt. Thomas "Roy" Lane, had "heavy fire coming from (its) engine compartment and passenger compartment."
Firefighters, Lane said, used both water and a dry chemical extinguisher as they worked to put out the fire.
As the smoke began to clear, Lane said, firefighters could see someone in the driver's seat.
At that point, Lane said, the police department was contacted to respond to the scene.
When Grobe arrived, she reportedly made her way to the vehicle, where firefighters were working to put out the fire.
"I observed a heavily burned car and a white male that was slumped over the wheel and was obviously deceased," said Grobe, who, along with Patrolman Jamie Sample then secured the scene, and requested detectives and the coroner respond.
Butler County Deputy Coroner Brien Fugate subsequently pronounced Cole dead at about 9:05 a.m.
Cole, according Moore, was identified after officials were able to retrieve his wallet from the body.
Investigator Scott Phelps, according to his report, spoke with Sally Welsh and Judy Cowley, who both are members of St. Andrew.
Cowley, Phelps said, reported she arrived at the church at about 7:45 a.m. and was the first to arrive.
Cole, Cowley told Phelps, usually is the first one there; however, "he wasn't there ... She tried to call his cellular phone several times, but she did not get an answer."
Phelps said Welsh reported she arrived a little after 8 a.m. and "also thought it was strange that Art was not already at the church."
Both women, according to Phelps, did not notice anything out of the ordinary when they arrived at the church.
Welsh, Phelps said, also reported she thought Cole had had a heart attack either one or two years ago.
"She knew he had a heart-related condition," Phelps said.
Due to Cole's death, investigators with the Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office also were called to the scene to investigate the fire since it involved a fatality.
According to Fire Chief Ralph Stucker, the fire investigators "won't determine the cause of the vehicle fire" since the fire was a result of the accident.
"They will leave the accident and what caused the accident up to the police department," Stucker explained.