Trucker Found in Local Truck Stop Identified

Authorities have released the identity of the man found dead in his semi in Effingham Wednesday afternoon.

The Effingham County Coroner's Office has announced the man was 43-year-old Brian O. Clay of Pooler, Georgia.  Clay was found by Effingham City Police after authorities in Georgia asked them to conduct a search when the man had failed to reach his destination in northern Illinois.  Police officers located Clay's rig parked on a private lot near the Fayette Avenue interstate interchange and found Clay unresponsive inside.  A coroner's office staff member pronounced Clay dead at the scene at 5pm Wednesday.

The preliminary report from an autopsy conducted Thursday indicates Clay died due to natural causes and no foul play is suspected.  The final autopsy report and toxicology test results are pending.