Firefighters extinguish the fire at a fatal crash scene. (Photo provided)

LEESBURG — Kosciusko County Coroner Anthony Ciriello has advised that positive identification has been made on the fatality victim from Monday morning’s accident, east of Leesburg.

Richard E. Prescott, 84 Leesburg, formerly of Syracuse, was identified by last evening, May 31, by Forensic Odontologist Dr. Craig Nelson at the Northeast Forensic Center, Fort Wayne, by the use of dental comparisons. Ciriello also stated during the performed autopsy, Prescott was determined to have died from blunt force injuries that he sustained during the impact of the crash.

Kosciusko County sheriff’s deputies and emergency personnel responded at 4:09 a.m. to the area of Armstrong Road, east of CR 200E, in regards to a 911 report of an accident where the vehicle was purportedly on fire.

Responders arrived and found a single-vehicle SUV that was fully engulfed in flames.

Kosciusko County sheriff’s deputies stated after the Leesburg/Plain Township Fire Department extinguished the fire, it was determined there was a driver, deceased, inside of the silver 2004 Chevy Suburban. Kosciusko County Coroner’s office was summoned to the scene and subsequently transported the driver to the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center, Fort Wayne, for formal identification.

Kosciusko County FACT team members stated a preliminarily investigation into the crash has determined the fatality vehicle had been travelling eastbound on Armstrong Road, when for an unknown reason, left the south side of the roadway. The vehicle then struck a tree head-on and caught fire.

Officers stated the crash is still currently under investigation.

Kosciusko County FACT team and Coroner’s Office were assisted at the scene by members of the Leesburg/Plain Township Fire Department and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.