Former USC football star Kevin Ellison’s death ruled an accident

Former USC football player Kevin Ellison died of blunt force trauma after being hit by a minivan while walking on the 5 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley in October, according to an autopsy report released Friday.

“Based on the history, circumstances and/or exam as I currently know them, the manner of death is accident,� the Los Angeles County deputy medical examiner wrote.

The autopsy report found marijuana in Ellison’s system at the time of death, but no other drugs or alcohol.

Ellison, 31, was a two-time All-Pac-10 Conference selection who played briefly for the San Diego Chargers and struggled with mental health issues for several years.

He ran off — telling a neighbor someone was trying to kill him — and disappeared after his family tried to take him to a hospital for a 72-hour psychiatric hold on Oct. 2.

Two days later, Ellison was struck and killed around 11 p.m. in the 5 Freeway’s northbound lanes near San Fernando Mission Boulevard in Mission Hills.

“The decedent was reportedly standing in the No. 3 lane with his hands raised in the air prior to impact,� the autopsy report said.

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The deputy medical examiner added: “Reportedly, he was increasingly complaining in recent weeks of stress and mental health difficulties.�

Ellison’s family donated his brain to Boston University researchers who study repetitive head trauma in athletes and military personnel. The testing will take several months to complete.

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Twitter: @nathanfenno