FAYETTE COUNTY — Authorities in Fayette County are not yet able to identify the person killed Thursday afternoon in a fiery crash on U.S. 51.

According to Fayette County Coroner Bruce Bowen, a report was called in around 12:46 p.m. Thursday afternoon of a vehicle with a single occupant traveling northbound on U.S. Route 51, near county road 1000N.

The vehicle was reported to have left the west side of the roadway, traveled down an embankment in a ravine, then crashed into a creek where it burst into flames.

The Vandalia Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire and assist with extrication.

Bowen says he pronounced the occupant/driver dead at the scene at 1:20 p.m., and that the person was burned beyond recognition.

Bowen says an autopsy is set for today to determine the official cause of death and to positively identify the victim.