ELLENSBURG -- State Patrol troopers are investigating what caused the death of a truck driver who was found in his vehicle on the side of Interstate 82 in Kittitas County on Monday night.

Scott E. Waser, 54, of Washougal was found 11 miles east of Ellensburg, where his truck was parked on the right shoulder of the eastbound lane. His body was discovered slumped over the steering wheel with the engine running after a trooper stopped to check what she thought was a disabled vehicle at 8:27 p.m. Waser was in a 2000 Western semi truck and flatbed with no apparent damage, troopers said.

Waser's cause of death is unknown and pending an autopsy.

-- Rod Antone