Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever's blood-alcohol level was .29 at the time of his fatal crash, which is more than three times higher than what's considered to be the "legal limit" of .08.
The autopsy report from Coconino County says Dever died from injuries related to the crash, including a broken collarbone, fractured ribs, and blood collecting in a torn lung, among other injuries.
See also:
-Sheriff Larry Dever Was Driving Drunk at the Time of Fatal Crash
-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
There's an Arizona law against driving "impaired to the slightest degree," DUI laws, but in many cases, a level of .08 or higher is what qualifies someone for a DUI arrest.
The autopsy report shows Dever's blood-alcohol level was .291, which would have qualified him for what's considered "super extreme" DUI, which is applied to drivers with a level higher than .20.
Dever had been driving around 62 mph and was not wearing a seat belt a couple weeks ago 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. He added that a deputy reported not smelling alcohol coming from the cab of Dever's truck.
Late last week, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office said Dever's family "expressed great sorrow" after hearing the toxicology results "indicate[d] a level of alcohol associated with impairment."
"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 said. "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."
