DC lobbyist's death in car fire ruled accidental

WASHINGTON – The D.C. Medical Examiner's office says the death of a lobbyist in a car fire last month was accidental.

The office said Friday that 37-year-old Ashley Turton died from burns and inhaling products of combustion. The Washington Post reports that an autopsy also revealed acute alcohol intoxication contributed to her death.

Turton was a lobbyist for Progress Energy. Her body was found the early morning of Jan. 10 inside her fire-damaged SUV in the garage of her Capitol Hill home.

Her husband is Daniel Turton, the White House's deputy director of legislative affairs.

D.C. fire officials say her death is still under investigation. Authorities are looking into what Turton was doing before her death and the mechanics of her vehicle.

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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com