May 27, 2008

A Randolph County man died Sunday morning in an RV in Indianapolis, IN just hours before the start of the Indy 500.

Indianapolis police report 43 year old Michael Thies of Ruma was found unresponsive inside his RV by his wife Kathleen.

Authorities say Thies’ RV became filled with carbon monoxide and investigators said the fumes did not appear to have come from the family’s RV. Thies’ RV was hooked up to an electrical source and their generator was not in use.

Kathleen Thies was treated and released from a hospital but her father, 69 year old Charles Buss of Marissa and her uncle, 61 year old Fred Buss of Oakdale were listed in serious condition at an Indianapolis hospital Monday. 53 year old Deborah Buss, who is Charles Buss’ wife, was listed in fair condition.

Michael Thies, the father of four, was active in the community of Ruma. He served on the village board and zoning board and also managed a body shop in Red Bud.

Authorities in Indianapolis said no criminal wrong doing is suspected. Thies’ RV was among several parked very close to each other in an empty lot near the speedway’s fourth turn.