A 74-year-old South Bend man died Tuesday after the vehicle he was riding in left the roadway and struck a tree in Constantine Township.

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the area of North River Road and Quaker Road just after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15 for a report of a single vehicle crash. Upon arrival authorities located the vehicle, which was engulfed in flames, and successfully removed a 74-year-old man trapped inside. Deputies and assisting personnel attempted lifesaving measures but the man succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initial investigation into the incident determined that the vehicle was traveling eastbound on North River Road when it left the roadway and crashed into a tree, before catching fire. The identities of the victim and the vehicle’s driver are not being released at this time pending further investigation and notification of family.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Constantine Police Department, White Pigeon Police Department, Constantine Fire Department, LifeCare Ambulance, Sturgis Towing, WMU Med, and Eley Funeral Home.

Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor and publisher of Watershed Voice.