A car crashed into a tree on Stafford Avenue and burst into flames, resulting in the death of the driver on Sunday night.
Police said on Sunday at 6:21 p.m., officers received a call about a serious motor vehicle accident on Stafford Avenue near Jewel Street. Police found a vehicle had crashed into a tree and was fully engulfed in flames.
Police said officers and bystanders attempted to rescue the lone operator of the vehicle but were driven back by the intense heat. Eventually, Bristol firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire.
Shortly after, police said Bristol EMS pronounced the operator deceased at scene.
The operator of the vehicle has not been positively identified, said police. At this time, officials cannot determine the sex or approximate age of the victim. The department is working with the Farmington Medical Examiners Office to identify the operator.
The vehicle, a green Ford Ranger pickup truck had been traveling north on Stafford Avenue and left the right side of the roadway just north of Jewel Street, said police. The vehicle traveled approximately 30 feet off the road and struck a tree. The truck was heavily damaged in the crash.
Police said gasoline leaked from the vehicle and entered a nearby storm drain. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) was notified and responded to the scene. A private contractor was contacted and arrived at scene to contain the spill. Fire and DEEP officials determined there was no danger to the immediate neighborhood.
The police department’s Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team (START) responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation.
Anyone with information about this crash should contact the BPD Traffic Division at (860) 584-3030.