Archer Heights Man Is Cook County's 27th Cold Death Of Season

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A man who died Friday at his home in the Archer Heights neighborhood on the Southwest Side is at least the 27th cold-related death of the season in Cook County, authorities said.

Sam Lopez, 50, died March 14 at his home in the 4900 block of South Kostner Avenue, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:20 a.m., the medical examiner's office said.

An autopsy Saturday found Lopez died of alcohol intoxication and cold exposure, according to the medical examiner's office. His death was ruled an accident.

Chicago Police could not immediately provide any additional details on Lopez's death.

The last time the county saw more than 25 cold deaths was the winter of 2007-08, when 29 people died of cold-related causes, officials said. Last winter, 14 people died of cold-related causes.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)