DETROIT, Mich. -- Detroit police are investigating the death of a 45-year-old man who was run over by his lawn mower Wednesday while cutting the grass at a Detroit city park.

Detroit city spokesman James Canning said the man was a seasonal worker with General Services Department and was cutting the grass at Eliza Howell Park on the city's west side. The worker was identified as Tony Harris. Canning said Harris had been employed by the city for the past four years, but this was his first year actually cutting grass.

Harris' sister, Rachelle King, said Harris' wife and other family members were notified about 2:30 p.m.

Police said the man did not report back with his supervisor after his shift on Wednesday. The supervisor came to check on him and found him ejected from the lawn-mowing device, and it appears he was run over by the lawn mower, according to police.

The mower was a small tractor-type device that pulled cutting equipment behind it. There are doors and a seat belt on the tractor. Police said it's unclear if Harris was wearing the seat belt. Police were also trying to determine whether Harris fell from or was thrown from the mower.

Harris' family said he suffered from lupus and the extreme weather caused his condition to flare up. Harris filed a grievance, saying he could not work in the heat the day he died, according to Harris' family.

City officials said they do not have any knowledge of a grievance filed by Harris.

Stay with Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.com for more on this developing story.