TERRE HAUTE —
Excessive speed appears to be the primary factor in a fatal one-car crash in the 1800 block of South Seventh Street early today.
The driver has been identified as Angel Vargas, 23. An autopsy was conducted this afternoon by forensic pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr, who told the Tribune-Star that the cause of death is blunt force trauma to the head and chest.
Terre Haute Police Chief John Plasse said the car burst into flames soon after it impacted the porch of a house south of the intersection at about 2:44 a.m. Nearby residents were able to pull the driver from the burning vehicle. The driver was pronounced dead at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.
Witnesses told police that the car was traveling at a high rate of speed when it reached the intersection of Seventh and Hulman. Plasse said it appears that due to the large hump in the intersection that the car, a silver BMW, became airborne and the driver lost control of the car.
After hitting the front porch of one house, the car continued for a short distance.
Emergency personnel were on the scene until about 8 a.m., and South Seventh Street in the area of the accident was closed temporarily during the investigation.
Plasse said it is unknown if drugs and alcohol were a factor in the crash.
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