Authorities in Fultondale have identified the man found dead near a burned vehicle earlier this week as 85-year-old Major Issac Epting, a longtime resident of the area. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed his identity on Wednesday, following an incident that drew a large emergency response Tuesday night.
According to officials, firefighters were called to Ellard Road around 8 p.m. after receiving reports of a brush fire. When crews arrived, they found a car engulfed in flames and discovered Epting’s body nearby. Sgt. John Tanks of the Fultondale Police Department said that, around the same time, dispatchers received a crash alert from Epting’s iPhone, which helped responders locate the scene more quickly.
Investigators believe the vehicle had veered off the roadway into a shallow ravine before coming to rest. While the exact cause of the crash remains unknown, authorities are considering the possibility that Epting may have suffered a medical emergency that led to his loss of control. The vehicle did not overturn, and it is still unclear how the fire started after it stopped. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the surrounding wooded area.
Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates confirmed that no evidence of foul play has been found, and preliminary findings suggest the incident was accidental. An autopsy was performed Wednesday to determine the exact cause of death, though toxicology results are still pending. Officials said the findings will help clarify whether any health-related issues or other factors played a role in the crash.
Sgt. Tanks described the situation as a tragic and isolated event. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team is leading the investigation, examining physical evidence and vehicle data to piece together the final moments before the fire. Investigators will also review the iPhone’s crash alert data for additional insights into the timing and movement of the vehicle.
Community members in Fultondale have expressed condolences to Epting’s family, remembering him as a kind and active member of the neighborhood. Authorities continue to urge anyone who may have seen anything unusual along Ellard Road around 8 p.m. Tuesday to contact the Fultondale Police Department. Updates will be shared once the investigation and coroner’s report are complete.