OAN’s Noah Herring
2:50 PM – Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Three men were found dead in a car over the weekend at a gas station in North Carolina. They have now been identified as Marine lance corporals who were stationed at the nearby Camp Lejeune, the U.S. Marine Corps said on Tuesday.
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The three men were found unresponsive in a privately owned car at a Speedway gas station in Hampstead by deputies from the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, according to the department.
According to deputies, the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning.
Pender County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Chester Ward stated that the agency had missing persons reports for all three. One report came from one of the deceased’s mothers, who remarked that her son did not make his flight home the night before.
“We do not suspect anything as far as foul play in that matter,” Ward told The Associated Press, noting that the sheriff’s office is waiting on autopsy results because the cause of death “might be something that we don’t see.”
No drugs or drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle, he later confirmed.
The men who passed away were identified as Tanner J. Kaltenberg, 19, of Wisconsin, Merax C. Dockery, 23, of Oklahoma, and Ivan R. Garcia, 23, of Florida.
First Lt. Raymond Fullbright of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group said that the men were motor vehicle operators with the Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, and 2nd Marine Logistics group at Camp Lejeune.
“My deepest sympathy and condolences are extended to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lance Cpl. Kaltenberg, Lance Cpl. Dockery and Lance Cpl. Garcia,” said Brig. Gen. Michael McWilliams, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. “Our focus is providing the necessary resources and support to those impacted by their tragic loss as they navigate this extremely difficult time.”
The sheriff’s department did not give any further details on how the carbon monoxide entered the car.
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