MAKANDA – A fatal single-vehicle crash was reported Saturday in Jackson County.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, it happened around 10:30 a.m. on U.S. 51 about a quarter mile north of Rifle Range Road in rural Makanda. The caller reported to the sheriff’s office that a white Ford F-250 was off the roadway, had struck a tree and was on fire. The fire spread from the truck into a wooded area.

A preliminary investigation shows a white Ford F-250 pickup was going north on U.S. 51. The truck gradually departed the roadway to the right, went down a slight embankment and struck a tree. The driver was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown a short distance from the vehicle. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jackson County Coroner’s Office. The name of the driver is being withheld until family members are notified.

The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the crash. The Jackson County Ambulance Service, the Jackson County Coroner’s Office and Makanda Township Fire Department assisted on the call.