FRANKLIN COUNTY — The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal traffic crash that claimed the life of a 41-year-old an Orient man early Wednesday morning.

Sheriff Don Jones says the body has been tentatively identified as Robert E. Mandrell of Orient.

According to Jones, just before 2:30, deputies responded to a reported crash and fire near Orient on East Franklin Street just west of the Orient Blacktop.

When deputies arrived, they saw a pickup truck fully engulfed in flames.

The West Frankfort Fire Department had also been dispatched and had arrived as well to extinguish the fire. A badly burned body was found in the driver’s position inside the truck, and has been tentatively identified as Mandrell.

Jones added it appeared that the pickup truck had been going west on East Franklin Street, left the right side of the road and struck a large tree. It is believed the fire was a result of the crash. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor.

The Franklin County Coroner is helping the sheriff’s office in the investigation. An autopsy was scheduled for later today.