A driver was found dead inside a vehicle that caught fire Saturday night in Martin County, prompting an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Investigation Details
Just after 9 p.m., Martin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Martin County Fire Rescue crews responded to reports of a fully engulfed vehicle fire along the roadside near Citrus Boulevard and Pineapple Avenue.
When first responders arrived, they discovered the driver deceased inside the vehicle. Authorities said the victim was burned beyond recognition.
Initially, investigators believed the fire may have been the result of a traffic crash. However, after further examination of the scene, officials ruled out that possibility. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division were then called in to take over the case.
According to investigators, evidence suggests the fire may have started when the truck’s exhaust system ignited grass beneath the vehicle. It remains unclear why the driver was unable to escape once the fire began.
Detectives believe they have identified the victim and are in contact with the individual’s family. However, due to the condition of the body, officials say a positive identification cannot be confirmed until DNA testing is completed. Those results are expected to take several weeks.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
