A Hope man was killed in an early-morning crash Friday. Judy Jackson, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, says that

deputies were called to a car fire on County Road 900 East, north of Schaeffer Lake in Hope. On arrival, deputies reported finding the driver, 34-year-old Jesse James Jackson, deceased.

Jackson says that the preliminary investigation indicates that Jackson was southbound on County Road 900 East when his vehicle left the west side of the roadway and hit a tree. Police say that Jackson was ejected from the vehicle before it burst into flames.

The investigation is ongoing.