Leesburg man killed in Fayette County farming accident

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Highland County man that happened Thursday morning in the 9000 block of Simmons Road in southern Fayette County.

A 911 call came into the Sheriff’s Communication Center reporting that a farm tractor was on fire and that a person was observed lying unresponsive next to the machinery.

Upon the arrival of first responders, the fire was determined to be contained (extinguished by a passing motorist), and the unresponsive male, later identified as Matthew L. Stoll, 45, of Leesburg, was pronounced deceased by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation determined that Mr. Stoll was operating a John Deere 7210 tractor pulling an agricultural sprayer and entered a field on Simmons Road. One of the sprayer boom arms was elevated upward and connected with an overhead power line in the field which energized the farm machinery. It is believed that as Mr. Stoll was exiting the machinery and sustained a fatal electrical shock.

Members of the South Central Power Company responded to the scene, ensuring the power was neutralized and the scene was accessible to first responders. Also assisting at the scene were members of the Concord-Green Fire Department, Fayette County EMS and Leesburg EMS.

Fayette County Coroner Dr. Lenora Fitton concluded the death was accidental by electrocution.

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