WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsUPDATE: Accidental death in suspicious vehicle fire, name released

Sawyer County (Press Release) - Sawyer County officials have been advised by the Ramsey County Medical Examiners Office that the person that died in a care fire during the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 11, died as a result of smoke inhalation and the death was accidental.

Although positive identification of the victim has not yet been confirmed pending examination of dental records, the Sawyer County Sheriff's Department believes the victim to be Darwin L. Drake, 65, of 9123 County Road B, Hayward.

The investigation revealed that Drake, who was single, lived frugally and lately had been living out of his vehicle, a 1992 Chevy Suburban. Drake owned the property where the burning vehicle was discovered at approximately 4:15 a.m.

Toxicology results are not back yet. 

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Sawyer County (Press Release) - At approximately 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday, the Sawyer County Sheriff's Department was advised of a vehicle fire at a residence on Sawyer County Highway B, roughly 18 miles east of Hayward.

Sawyer County deputies and the Round Lake Township Fire Department responded to the scene.

Upon extinguishing the fire, a deceased subject was located inside the vehicle. The vehicle was registered to the owner of the residence.

The body has been transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiners Office. An autopsy will be conducted to determine positive identification and the cause of death.

Law enforcement is treating the death as suspicious pending autopsy results.

Identity will be released once positive identification is made.