Police have ruled out alcohol as a factor in the death of Boston Legal star Justin Mentell, who was involved in a fatal car accident on Monday.

The actor died after his Jeep swerved off a road near Madison, Wisconsin and authorities have deemed an autopsy unnecessary, because the star did not fall asleep at the wheel and was not drunk before the crash, according to his longtime friend.

Mentell's pal Sharon Yap tells RadarOnline.com cops believe Mentell missed a sharp curve in the road, causing him to crash into an embankment.

She explains, "He was on a very dark rural road and they think that he missed the curve. He went straight into the embankment. It was a rural area with no streetlights. He was driving late at night before sunrise so it was dark. A farmer found him.

"He was a vegetarian and lead a very healthy lifestyle. He went too soon."

A funeral for the 27 year old will be held in his home state of Texas on Sunday.

On February 13 a memorial service will be held in his honour at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts in Waukegan, Illinois.