The driver of a car found burning early this morning in Bedford died from smoke inhalation, officials said.

Chief James Day of Bedford police said officers and fire crews responded about 12:30 a.m. to a possible explosion on Ole Turnpike Drive, off U.S. 460 near the western city limits.

According to a police statement, the vehicle left the road for unknown reasons, came to rest in a field and caught fire. The victim was unable to get out of the vehicle after the crash. Firefighters found a body in the vehicle while extinguishing the fire.

By midday, police had identified the car, which was registered outside of Virginia, Day said. The department would not release any details until they had contacted the owner or family of the owner. The identity of the victim hasn't been confirmed yet because of the severity of the damage.

Earlier today, prior to obtaining a cause of death, Day said police were treating the incident as a suspicious death. He did not say this afternoon whether investigators still consider the crash the result of foul play or describe how the wreck occurred.

The fire occurred within a quarter mile of a state police station at the intersection of U.S. 460 and Ole Turnpike Drive. Medical offices and a Super 8 Motel are located on the street.