Jake Alto Cary, 24, of Bandon, was found dead in his sport utility vehicle Thursday morning after it was involved in an overnight single-vehicle traffic crash along U.S. Highway 101 about seven miles north of Port Orford. The 1999 Oregon State Police believe the Toyota 4Runner went off the west highway shoulder and traveled down an embankment where it struck a large tree. Contributed Photo

The body of a Bandon man was found in his wrecked sports utility vehicle on Thursday, after an apparent crash that occurred Wednesday night.

According to an Oregon State Police press release, at about 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, a bicyclist traveling along U.S. Highway 101 reported spotting the wreckage of a Toyota 4Runner that had crashed near milepost 291, seven miles north of Port Orford. Officers believe the SUV had been traveling north on 101 on a straight section of the highway, when, after negotiating a curve, it veered off the roadway, sliding sideways off the west shoulder of the highway. After skidding 30 feet down an embankment, the SUV struck a tree. It was partially hidden in the brush below the highway.

When emergency personnel arrived on Thursday morning, they found the body of the driver, Jake A. Cary, 24, in the vehicle.

Local emergency service agencies provided assistance at the scene, including the Curry County Sheriff's Office, the Port Orford Fire Department, the Sixes River Fire Department, Cal-Or Ambulance services and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Sgt. Scott Punch said OSP is continuing to investigate the fatal crash and requests anyone with information on the incident or Cary's location before the crash to contact local police departments, or call OSP at (541) 698-7212.