By BRUCE A. FASOL

Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler has confirmed to franklincounty-news.com that there is one fatality after an early morning crash on Route 148 in Royalton. A car/semi-truck accident claimed the life of a male driver of the car. No names have been released yet, said Leffler.

The car was traveling southbound “at a high rate of speed” said the coroner. Meanwhile the Prairie Farms semi was heading north. The car struck the trailer of the semi at the curve directly in front of the fire station in Royalton. Upon impact, the car exploded. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Leffler says the time of death is listed at 2:38 a.m.

An investigation continues.