Autistic Man Dies in Care Facility's Hot Van

(CBS/AP)  Police say a 20-year-old autistic man died after being left in a hot van following a trip to a suburban Philadelphia theme park.

The man was a resident at Woods Services, a Langhorne, Pa.-based organization that provides support and services to people with severe disabilities.

Middletown Township police say the man was left in the van on the Woods Services campus for five hours after a trip to Sesame Place.

The Bucks County coroner says the victim, Brian Nevins, originally of the New York City borough of Queens, died Sunday of hyperthermia.

A Woods Services spokeswoman says a staff person has been suspended, but the investigation continues.

Nevin's brother, who was also being cared for at the facility, has reportedly been removed by family members, CBS News Station KYW-TV in Philadelphia reports.

(Watch the report KYW-TV filed on this story below)

In November, a 17-year-old Woods resident died when he was struck by at least two cars after falling or jumping from a highway overpass. That death was ruled accidental.

Local Video from CBS 3 in Philadelphia

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[porcine_aviator]

I've never heard of autism causing someone to be incapable of opening a door or rolling down a window. I've known several autistic people and while they are definitely not "normal", they can care for themselves with a little bit of occasional help.

So either this person was afflicted by severe retardation (far beyond autism), or there's more to this story than meets the eye...hopefully the coroner does a complete autopsy to confirm what really happened.

[lilbear925]

This is really unfortunate for the poor fellow who died. The only bright side is that now he is in a better place and no longer has to suffer from autism. I would hope the care facility has good insurance, as the family of this fellow will now probably go after everything they can get from them. Heartbreaking!

[skeezix06]

There is no excuse for this. Personally I would pursue criminal charges.

At the very least the facility should be closed and the family should file a (what republicans like to call it) "frivolous" lawsuit. I hope they take them for every penny they have, every penny they ever had, and every penny they'll never have.