ORLAND - One person has died following a fiery crash on Sunday afternoon when a vehicle crashed into a tree and burst into flames.

The Steuben County Sheriff's Department says the crash happened just after 3:30 p.m. on State Road 327 north of U.S. 20. Reports indicate first officers on the scene found a gold colored Ford SUV fully engulfed in flames. Once the fire was put out, responders removed one deceased occupant, who authorities say was the driver and only occupant.
A preliminary investigation at the scene indicated that the vehicle was traveling south at a high rate of speed when it went off the road for an unknown reason and crashed head-on with a large tree. As a result of the impact, the vehicle caught on fire.

The identity of the driver is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin by the Steuben County Coroner's Office.

The crash remains under investigation.

Assisting the Sheriff's Office at the scene were the Indiana State Police, Orland Police, Orland Fire Department, Steuben County EMS, and the Steuben County Coroner's Office.