May 22, 2026 By Garrett Neese 1 min read

State police said a man who appeared to have been attempting to take electrical wire was electrocuted in Fayette County Friday morning.

The Fayette County coroner’s office was called to the scene near Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church on Laurel Hill Road in Dunbar Township shortly after 7 a.m.

Aaron Cottrell, 32, of Scottdale, was pronounced dead from an accidental electrocution, according to a release from the coroner’s office.

At the time of the incident, Cottrell had a pole saw and a backpack, and appeared to have been attempting to remove wire from active electrical lines, state police said in a release. The investigation is ongoing.

The coroner’s office said Cottrell had not been working at the site for the church or another commercial business.

State police noted that interfering with or trying to remove wires from active electrical infrastructure could lead to serious injury or death. Unless authorized to do so, people should not approach or handle the lines, which can remain energized, the release said.