Salem Man Dies as a Result of an Accidental Gun Shot (AUDIO)

Vladimir Gorkavchenko and his family had been camping in the area and were driving down Breitenbusch Road on their way back to Salem when the crash, and shooting occurred.

Salem-News.com

(DETRIOT) - A Salem man died early Tuesday morning after surviving a major rollover crash with his family on Breitenbusch Rd SE. According to reports, 38-year-old Vladimir Gorkavchenko attempted to climb back up to the road using a loaded rifle as a brace when the fatal shot was accidentally fired.

Marion County Sheriff`s deputies responded to the Breitenbusch Road location shortly after 8:00 AM Tuesday morning. The crash scene was near mile post 15 in the vicinity of Detroit

Sheriff`s spokesman Kevin Rau says from what they can tell, Vladimir Gorkavchenko of Salem was driving on Breitenbusch Rd SE near Detroit at about 2:00 AM Tuesday, when he lost control of his Chrysler minivan on a sharp curve causing the van to leave the road, rolling several times and coming to rest in a rocky embankment.

Gorkavchenko`s wife, 40-year-old Tatyana Polovina, and their 7-year-old daughter were both in the minivan.

Rau says there were no apparent injures as a result of the crash.

Investigators believe Gorkavchenko removed a large caliber rifle from the van to take it with him and the three of them began climbing out of the ravine.

Rau says Gorkavchenko was using the rifle as a brace as he climbed and apparently slipped causing the gun to slide out of his grip and fire a round hitting him in his thumb and his head.

He died as a result of his injuries, according to Rau.

It is unclear if alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash or subsequent events.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident