The East Baton Rouge Coroner says that the deputy involved in a crash on Thursday morning in Zachary died of heart failure.
According to The Advocate, the preliminary results of the autopsy conducted by the East Baton Rouge Coroner found that 42-year-old Lt. Steven Whitstine died from congestive heart failure moments before the crash occurred.
In the report, the coroner also indicated that there was no evidence that the injuries Whitstine sustained in the crash contributed to his death.
The autopsy was conducted on Friday morning.
Lt. Whitstine was on his way to work in Zachary when his vehicle traveled off the roadway striking a tree and a bridge before overturning into a canal.
The crash happened on Port Hudson Pride Road between LA 19 and Hwy 964 in Zachary.
Also in the car with Whitstine at the time of the crash was his K9 partner, Six, who received minor injuries.
The deputy had served 8 years with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s K9 division. Prior to that, Whitstine served 9 years as a K9 officer with the Baker Police Department.
More details on the crash: East Baton Rouge deputy killed in Zachary crash
