Truck driver found dead at Butler County rest area identified

A truck driver who apparently died in his sleeper cab while the semi was parked at a rest area on Interstate 75 north in Butler County has been identified.

An autopsy has been conducted on Geoffrey Matelic, 48, of Taylor, Mich., according to the Butler County Coroner’s Office, but a cause of death has not yet been determined.

Matelic’s body was released to his family on Wednesday, according to the coroner’s office.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers entered the locked truck just before 1 p.m. Tuesday while it was parked at the rest area on I-75 near Monroe.

“It looks like he fell asleep in his sleeper cab and may have had a medical issue,” Sgt. Chris Crisafi of the Ohio Highway Patrol’s Hamilton Post previously told this news outlet.

Matelic may have died one to two days before being found, he said.

Troopers did not find any drugs or signs of foul play or suicide, according to Crisafi.

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