A Warren County man was killed Saturday afternoon after a vehicle he was working on fell on him, crushing and smothering him, said authorities.

Richard E. Smith, 49, was replacing a transmission in a garage at his home at 555 Poole Road when a jack beneath the vehicle apparently gave out and the full weight of the vehicle crushed him, said Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace.

Authorities responded to the call shortly after 3:30 p.m, and found Smith beneath the vehicle.

“He had not been seen since around 2 o’clock, and a friend who was delivering him something he needed discovered him around 3:30,” said Pace, who added there was no indication of foul play.

Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey pronounced Smith dead at the scene shortly after 4 p.m., citing asphyxiation and trauma to his chest as the cause of death. 

Huskey said Glenwood Funeral Home will have charge of the arrangements.   

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com