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Prosecutors Rule Death Of Teen Pinned By 650-Pound Slab An Accident

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The death of a teenager killed when a massive stone slab fell on him at an Ocean County, New Jersey business last weekend has been ruled an accident.

The Ocean County prosecutor's office announced its finding Tuesday.

Investigators concluded that 17-year-old Jared Marchiano, of Berkeley Township, was trespassing at Stone N' Counters South LLC in Bayville when he accidentally dislodged the 650-pound slab.

The business, which makes counter tops, was closed when the accident occurred.

The stone pinned him beneath its full weight. Authorities haven't said how long Marchiano was trapped before a passing motorist spotted him early Saturday and called police.

Marchiano was pronounced dead shortly after authorities arrived. An autopsy determined that he died of asphyxiation.

On Monday, a friend told CBS2's Tony Aiello that Marchiano was out with other high schoolers on Friday when he apparently decided to take a shortcut home.

Investigators believe he cut through the company's property in order to reach Wheaton Avenue. His family lives a few houses down the street.

"The other three boys said: 'We're not going that way. There's security. We're going the long route,'" Jennifer Hennessey said.

Police believe that Marchiano tried to squeeze past two pieces of granite and may have dislodged a piece of lumber holding the slabs in place.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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