San Diego
The Marine private who was crushed by a soda vending machine Sunday was identified Tuesday as Michael R. Carlson, 19, of Ishpeming, Mich.
Carlson died Sunday night after a malfunctioning Pepsi-Cola vending machine at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot fell on him when he tried to tilt it, said Capt. John Coonradt. Carlson had placed 50 cents in the machine, which can weigh up to 1,100 pounds when fully stocked, and was trying to shake free a soft-drink can.
Carlson was rushed to the Navy Hospital in Balboa Park, where he was pronounced dead at 10:34 p.m. of internal bleeding and a ruptured spleen.
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