Major Issac Epting Obituary, Death Cause – Authorities have released more details regarding the incident involving a man found near a burned vehicle in Fultondale earlier this week. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Major Issac Epting, 85, a resident of Fultondale.
According to officials, firefighters were dispatched around 8 p.m. on Tuesday to Ellard Road after receiving reports of a possible brush fire. When crews arrived and began putting out the flames, they discovered a heavily damaged car and found a man’s body near the vehicle.
Sgt. John Tanks with the Fultondale Police Department said that around the same time the fire was reported, dispatchers also received a crash alert from the man’s iPhone, which automatically notified authorities of a potential accident. This helped emergency responders locate the site quickly.
Investigators said that when they reached the scene, it appeared the vehicle had gone off the roadway and into a shallow ravine before coming to rest. There were no witnesses to the event, and it remains unclear what caused the car to leave the road. Sgt. Tanks noted that authorities are considering the possibility that a medical emergency may have occurred, which could have contributed to the driver’s loss of control.
Officials stated that the vehicle did not overturn and that it remains uncertain what exactly caused the fire to start after the vehicle came to a stop. Firefighters were able to fully extinguish the flames, but the vehicle was already severely damaged when they arrived.
The coroner’s office confirmed that no signs of foul play have been found, and the early findings suggest the situation may have been accidental. Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said an autopsy was completed Wednesday to help determine the precise cause of death, but results are still pending. Toxicology tests and further analysis will help establish whether health-related issues or other factors were involved.
Sgt. Tanks emphasized that the incident appears to be a tragic and isolated event, and investigators are carefully reviewing all available evidence to understand what happened. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team has taken over the investigation to analyze the scene, vehicle condition, and other physical evidence to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Local residents reported that Ellard Road, where the incident took place, is a quiet and less-traveled area surrounded by wooded terrain. Emergency crews had to navigate difficult ground conditions in the ravine to access the vehicle. The fire was contained before it spread to the surrounding vegetation, preventing a larger blaze.
Community members have expressed their condolences to Mr. Epting’s family following the tragedy. Epting was known in the Fultondale area, and neighbors described him as a kind and active man who had lived in the community for many years.
Authorities continue to gather information to determine the sequence of events leading to the fire and crash. Investigators will review data from the vehicle’s onboard systems and the iPhone alert, which may offer additional clues about speed, direction, and timing prior to the event.
For now, officials have not released further details while the investigation continues. Sgt. Tanks said updates will be provided once the coroner’s report and accident reconstruction are complete.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of emergency alert technology, as the iPhone’s automatic crash notification helped direct first responders quickly to the scene.
The Fultondale Police Department, Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, Fultondale Fire Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office continue to collaborate on the case to provide the family with a full understanding of what occurred.
Authorities have asked anyone who may have been traveling along Ellard Road around 8 p.m. Tuesday and noticed anything unusual to reach out to the Fultondale Police Department with any information that may assist in the ongoing investigation.