A 76-year-old Granger man died after suffering a medical emergency while driving along Ash Road, authorities said.

According to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office, John G. Pickard was traveling southbound in a 2007 Ford F-150 around 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, Sep. 27, when he apparently lost consciousness behind the wheel. His vehicle veered off the east side of Ash Road, just south of County Road 10, and struck a tree on private property at 52284 Ash Road.

Despite the impact, the truck sustained only minor damage to the front and driver’s side. After hitting the tree, the vehicle continued moving before coming to rest partially on the grass and driveway of the same property.

Pickard was found unresponsive and not breathing at the scene. Paramedics from Cleveland Township Fire Department attempted life-saving measures but were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials confirmed that he was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash and that his death was the result of a cardiovascular medical issue, not the collision itself.