A tragic single-vehicle accident claimed the life of a 62-year-old Wakefield man on Thursday afternoon, August 14.

Virginia State Police say troopers responded around 1:45 p.m. to the scene of a fatal crash at 9316 Birch Island Road. Upon arrival, they found the driver — identified as Charles Lee Mixell — deceased. He was the only occupant of the vehicle.

Preliminary investigations indicate Mixell was traveling northbound in a 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup truck when the vehicle veered off the road and collided with multiple trees.

The roadway was temporarily closed while authorities cleared the scene. The Virginia Department of Transportation assisted with detouring traffic in the area.

No further details have been released as the investigation continues.