PLATTSBURGH — A heart attack caused the death of a Port Kent man whose tractor-trailer left Interstate 87 southbound between exits 36 and 37 on Wednesday.

Stacey L. Mitchell, 62, was found unconscious in the cab by troopers who began cardio pulmonary resuscitation, State Police Public Information Officer Trooper Jennifer Fleishman said.

Mitchell died after he was taken to University of Vermont Health Network, Champlain Valley Physician’s Hospital, his daughter Jamie Mitchell said.

An autopsy performed there Thursday by Dr. Cara Soper revealed Mr. Mitchell had died of a heart attack.

Clinton County Coroner David F. Donah ruled the manner of death to be natural.

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Something wrong

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Mitchell’s rig left the west shoulder of the highway, where it struck a group of small trees at about 2:20 p.m.

Jamie believes her father deliberately directed it there “because something was wrong.

“He took his foot off the accelerator then coasted down the embankment,” she said. “That way he wouldn’t hurt anybody” if he wasn’t able to keep the rig under control on the road.”

Interstate 87 southbound was closed at that location for about three hours. One lane was shut down at about 3:10 p.m., followed by both at around 3:55 p.m.

Traffic was backed up for miles for awhile.

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Not a mark on it

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Mr. Mitchell drove for Huntley Trucking of Cadyville; the tractor-trailer was carrying a full tandem load of asphalt.

Jim Rock — Mr. Mitchell’s brother-in-law — hauled the rig back to his business, Rock’s Garage in Peru, Jamie said.

“There’s not even a mark on it,” she said, accepting that as further proof her father put the truck where he did with deliberation.

Mr. Mitchell and his wife, Sally, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in July, their daughter said.

“He loved his kids,” said Jamie, who has two half-brothers and, among the three of them gave their parents 14 grandchildren.

“And one on the way,” said Jamie, whose due date is Tuesday.

Her parents also fostered a grandson and granddaughter for five years.

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About family

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Mr. Mitchell used to hunt and had a passion for demolition derby, Jamie said, but he’d given up those pursuits as he got older. He put in some time helping his brother-in-law at the garage in Peru.

His family was what made him complete.

It makes complete sense that her dad would have made sure his truck was safely off the road so no one traveling the Northway then would be at risk of harm.

“He was that type of guy,” his daughter said. “They called him the Gentle Giant.”