Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever was driving drunk at the time of his fatal crash a little more than two weeks ago, according to a toxicology report.
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office relayed the results from the medical examiner, saying that preliminary toxicology results "indicate a level of alcohol associated with impairment was present in the blood of Larry Dever at the time of the fatal motor vehicle accident."
See also:
-Sheriff Larry Dever Dies in One-Car Wreck on Dirt Road Near Williams
-No Indication Dever Had Been Drinking
-Sheriff Larry Dever Speeding at 62 MPH on Dirt Road Without Seat Belt Buckled
Dever had been driving around 62 mph and was not wearing a seat belt when his pickup truck ran off the road and rolled, killing the Sheriff.
Beer bottles and cans were found around the site of the crashed truck, but a Coconino County Sheriff's Office spokesman said shortly after the crash that it appeared the beers had flown out of a cooler Dever had in the truck bed.
The spokesman also said a deputy investigating the crash didn't smell alcohol coming from the cab, nor did the deputy find any indication that Dever had an open container in the cab with him.
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office says further information about the toxicology report won't be available until next week.
According to a statement from the Cochise County Sheriff's Office, Dever's family noted that the Sheriff had been "reeling from the stress and pressure of the events at hand," including the death of his mother just four days prior.
"The Dever family expressed great sorrow at the findings, indicating that with the recent events in Sheriff Dever's personal life to include the death of his mother Annie May four days prior to the accident, the Sheriff was still undoubtedly reeling from the stress and pressure of the events at hand," the statement says. "The Dever family advised that they remain so grateful for the overwhelming support and outpouring of love from Cochise County and across the nation, and they pray this report does not diminish the respect and admiration that so many have for such a great man."
