An autopsy performed on Rick Martin determined the Sabres legend died of heart disease, state police reported this morning.
Dr. Diane Vertes, who performed the autopsy at Erie County Medical Center, found Martin, 59, died of hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or HAS CVD.
This is progressive and prolonged hardening of the arteries that can lead to a heart attack, heart failure and other complications.
Martin, an Akron resident, was driving westbound on Main Street in Clarence shortly after noon Sunday when he suffered an apparent medical emergency and lost control of his sedan and went off the road, state police said Sunday.
Witnesses told troopers that Martin was slumped over the wheel, and appeared to have his eyes closed, as he drifted off the road just west of Salt Road.
Passers-by and a trooper performed CPR on Martin, who was unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead soon after his arrival at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst.
---Stephen T. Watson and Henry Davis
