Howell concert death ruled accidental, drug-induced

The death of a Belmar 38-year-old during the September 2015 Souper Groove Music Festival in Howell Township is determined to be accidental and influenced by drugs. A Monmouth County grand jury also found no cause for criminal charges against police.

Timothy Harden died after fighting with security guards and being restrained by officers who responded to a 911 call on the afternoon of September 5.

Harden's family members reportedly claimed excessive and unreasonable force in an ensuing lawsuit.

The panel accepted investigators' reports, autopsy results and toxicology tests, and ruled that police acted within the limits of the law and use-of-force guidelines, according to information from the office of acting Monmouth Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.

Lab tests indicated the presence of cocaine, alcohol and marijuana in Harden's system, authorities said. The cause of death was listed as drug-induced, excited delirium.

Harden volunteered as a staffer during the three-day concert at the Priedaine Latvian Society on Route 33.

Attendees and other volunteers told investigators that Harden had exhibited erratic behavior through the day, authorities said.

According to authorities, Harden was accosted by a security guard in a parking lot, and punched the guard in the face.

The guard punched back and wrestled Harden to the ground. He remained combative with Howell police officers, investigators said.

Howell first-aiders contacted MONOC paramedics to sedate Harden for transfer to hospitalization.

Before MONOC arrived, Harden stopped breathing. He was taken by ambulance to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was pronounced dead.

The autopsy was conducted by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner's office. Monmouth detectives conducted the investigation after a determination by the New Jersey Attorney General's office of no conflict of interest.