A Rocky Mount man was killed either Thursday night or Friday morning when his pickup truck ran off a Franklin County road and down an embankment.

Anthony James Sheesley, 35, died in the single-vehicle accident on Virginia 724 (Goose Dam Road), about a mile from U.S. 220 near Sydnorsville.

Sheesley, the lone occupant of a 1985 Chevrolet pickup, was apparently headed south when he ran off the right side of the road and down an embankment, Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Rob Carpentieri said. Sheesley, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected from the truck.

A passing motorist came across the scene of the accident about 7 a.m. Friday and called police. Sheesley was found dead at the scene.

Based on Sheesley's cellphone records, authorities believe the accident happened sometime between 11 p.m Thursday and early Friday morning.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

-- Laurence Hammack