THOMSON, Ga. -- A motorist was killed this morning after his car slammed into a tree and burst into flames on Fort Creek Road in McDuffie County.
The victim, who has yet to be identified because of the fire, was discovered on the passenger side of what authorities believe was a Mazda Millennium.
When firefighters with the McDuffie County Fire/Rescue Services arrived on the scene, they found the car in flames. The body of the victim was found after the fire was extinguished. Firefighters and first responders also looked around in the immediate area for other possible victims, but said they found none.
McDuffie County Coroner Rhusha Mack said he suspects the victim is a man.
The body was taken from the scene to McDuffie Regional Medical Center in Thomson. An autopsy was scheduled later today at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in Augusta.
Coroner Mack said dental records likely will help in making a positive identification of the person killed.
Cpl. Chris Wright of the Georgia State Patrol Post in Thomson said he believes the driver might have fallen asleep. After rounding a curve, "at a high rate of speed," the car then slammed into a large pine tree before catching fire about 5 a.m., Cpl. Wright said.
The motor of the car was thrown several feet from where the car stopped.
