Marquise Hill's death ruled an accidental drowning

Hill's Death Ruled an Accident
No Drugs, Alcohol; Concussion Contributed

The death of New England Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill has been ruled an accidental drowning by the local medical examiner, according to an Associated Press story.

Orleans Parish coroner Dr. Frank Minyard said that no signs of drugs or alcohol were apparent in the autopsy and additional tests will take two weeks.

Minyard said a minor concussion -- indicated by a slight amount of blood in the brain -- could have impaired Hill when he fell in the water.

New England Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill combines with Ty Warren
on a tackle against the Miami Dolphins. Hill died Sunday night in a jetski
accident. His death has been ruled an accidental drowning.

Photos from Patriots.com
Graphic compiled by tommasse

"He might of hit the right side of his face above the eye when he fell off the craft. He had a pretty nasty bruise there" Minyard said. "That [the concussion] could have caused him some confusion. Although we were told he talked to the woman who was with him after the accident, he could have become disoriented."

As reported earlier, neither Hill nor his female companion were wearing life jackets. According to the AP, state regulations require jetski riders to wear life jackets and vacate waters a half-hour before sunset. Hill and his friend went on the lake around 8:30 p.m. Sunset was at 7:53 p.m., according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The pair were jetskiing in an area of swirling currents where a shipping canal runs through the southern part of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans. Minyard said water depths range as deep as 70-90 feet in the area.

"There were currents and very choppy waves," said Capt. Brian Clark of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department, who took part in the search. "That might have caused the accident, you have to know what you're doing in those conditions or you'll have trouble."

Hill was in New Orleans for the long holiday weekend. Famous for his contributions to Louisiana State's NCAA national football championship, Hill was equally well-known in his home state for his aid rendered to victims of Hurricane Katrina.