State police are investigating a deadly crash and vehicle fire on State Route 13 in Schuyler County.
Troopers said Schuyler County 911 received a call around 2:09 p.m. on December 22 reporting an erratic vehicle traveling southbound on Route 13. Troopers responded but were redirected before locating the vehicle after reports came in of a crash involving a vehicle fire.
When troopers arrived, they found a Subaru Forester fully engulfed in flames. Initial efforts to put out the fire failed because of its intensity. The Horseheads Town and County Fire Department responded and extinguished the blaze.
After the fire was put out, troopers located a deceased individual in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
Investigators say the vehicle was traveling southbound when it left the roadway, struck a cattle fence, continued through a field for about 75 to 100 yards, and then hit a tree.
The Chemung County Medical Examiner responded to the scene. Authorities ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death and confirm the identity of the deceased.
Police removed the vehicle from the scene. The investigation remains ongoing.
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