Autistic man dies in hot van in suburban Philly

An investigation is underway to determine why the victim was left in a sweltering vehicle for five hours

Published July 27, 2010 2:42PM (EDT)

Police say a 20-year-old autistic man died after being left in a hot van following a trip to a suburban Philadelphia theme park.

The man was a resident at Woods Services, a Langhorne, Pa.-based organization that provides support and services to people with severe disabilities.

Middletown Township police say the man was left in the van on the Woods Services campus for five hours after a trip to Sesame Place.

The Bucks County coroner says the victim, Brian Nevins, originally of the New York City borough of Queens, died Sunday of hyperthermia.

A Woods Services spokeswoman says a staff person has been suspended, but the investigation continues.

In November, a 17-year-old Woods resident died when he was struck by at least two cars after falling or jumping from a highway overpass. That death was ruled accidental.


By Associated Press

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