A Wheelersburg man died after he was accidentally shot by a muzzleloader Saturday near the Lawrence/Scioto county line.

According to Lawrence County Sheriff Tim Sexton, Joey Williams, 36, was fatally shot when a hunting companion, a 25-year-old male from Caledonia whose name is not being released, slipped going up a steep embankment and his weapon accidentally discharged, striking Williams in the head. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene by an investigator with the Lawrence County Coroner's Office.

"We talked to witnesses there and we are certain it was an accidental shooting," Sexton said. "As far as I'm concerned, the case is closed. It was just a very tragic accident."

Sexton said since the accident happened in a wooded area along the Lawrence and Scioto County lines, it was hard to say for certain in which county the shooting took place. The nearest road to the incident, Sexton said, is Bihl Road in Green Township in Scioto County. The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office took the lead role in the investigation, assisted by the Scioto County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio Game Wardens from both counties, personnel from the Vernon and Green Township EMS and fire departments from Scioto County.