MARION COUNTY — A fiery car crash early Sunday morning claimed the life of a 62-year-old Centralia man just south of Salem.

Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon has identified the man as William Hicks.

The one-vehicle crash occurred around 12:50 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Tweed Road and Sassafras Lane, northwest of Cartter and south of Salem.

According to Illinois State Police, Hicks was traveling on Tweed Road when his SUV failed to reduce speed as he approached the intersection with Sassafras Lane.

Accident reports indicate Hicks attempted to brake, but his vehicle was traveling too fast and skidded across Sassafrass Lane before going off the roadway and into a deep ditch.

Upon impact the SUV burst into flames and became fully engulfed. Salem Fire Protection District responded to extinguish the flames, and the coroner’s office pronounced the man dead at the scene.