Lawn Mowing Death Ruled Accidental  

By Andrew Gorosko

Police said this week they are continuing their investigation into the untimely death of a Danbury man who died accidentally while doing lawn maintenance work at a Mt Pleasant Road property on May 30.

Police Sergeant David Kullgren, who is overseeing the investigation into the death of Angel Avila, 41, said, “The medical examiner’s office told me that the accidental death was due to traumatic asphyxia.”

Police expect to receive an official autopsy report from the medical examiner in about one month, Sgt Kullgren said.

The sergeant declined to elaborate on the probe into the death, saying that the police investigation remains open.

Police have said that Mr Avila, a landscaping contractor, apparently was driving a riding mower down a steep slope when the vehicle rolled over and landed on him.

The property, whose driveway entrance is near Mt Pleasant Road’s eastern intersection with Blackman Road, has frontage on Taunton Lake.

Police said that at about 8:55 pm on May 30, they responded to the property after receiving a report on the incident.

Mr Avila, who was mowing the lawn with a highly-maneuverable riding mower, apparently was by himself when the accident occurred, according to police.

Hook & Ladder volunteer firefighters, ambulance corps volunteers, and a paramedic responded to the scene and spent two hours there. Mr Avila was pronounced dead at the scene, police have said.