A Starke County man was killed after a single-vehicle crash led to a fire near the intersection of Kern and Fir Roads.

St. Joseph County Police say the incident occurred around 12 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30.

When officers first arrived on scene, the driver, Joseph Rush, 40, had reportedly exited the vehicle and was refusing medical treatment. However, moments later, dispatchers advised that the vehicle had caught fire — with the driver still inside.

Live electrical wires had fallen onto the vehicle, creating a dangerous situation and preventing police, firefighters, and medics from approaching. Emergency crews were forced to wait until utility company AEP could arrive and secure the downed lines.

Once the scene was deemed safe and responders reached the vehicle, they discovered Rush had died from his injuries. He was the sole occupant of the car.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.