A Carson City man found face down in 6 inches of ditch water Saturday morning drowned, an autopsy revealed Monday.
Philip Proell, 44, was likely intoxicated or had a seizure when he stumbled and eventually passed out in the construction ditch on Russell Way in east Carson City, said Carson City Sheriff's Sgt. Bob White.
He said Proell's exact seizure disorder was unknown, but he tested positive for seizure medication.
Proell was found by weed-abatement workers Saturday morning in the runoff ditch on the freeway construction site between Russell Way and Lompa Lane about 9:15 a.m.
The ditch had about 6 inches of water, and Proell's body created a dam that made it even deeper around him, White said.
Friday evening, Proell allegedly ate a $10 meal at Tequila Dan's restaurant and left without paying.
Employees called police, and said they spotted Proell walking into an apartment complex at Long Street and Russell Way. The construction site is about two blocks from there.
Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
