Man Found In Summit Is Cook County's First Cold Death Of Season

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A homeless man found Monday morning in southwest suburban Summit died of hypothermia, marking Cook County's first cold-related death of the season.

William Kuzma, 57, was pronounced dead at 9:43 a.m. at the southbound 1st Avenue/Archer Avenue ramp to I-55, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

An autopsy Tuesday found he died of hypothermia due to cold exposure, with alcoholism and heart disease listed as secondary causes. His death was ruled an accident.

Summit police did not respond to requests for comment.

Last winter, 26 people died of cold exposure in Cook County, according to the medical examiner's office. During the 2013-14 season, there were 32 confirmed cold-related deaths.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)