WHITEFIELD —  The Medical Examiner’s Office is assisting in the investigation to determine cause of death of a driver involved in a single-vehicle crash in Whitefield, and whether the driver experienced a medical issues during the incident.

Thursday, Dec. 11, at approximately 11:50 a.m., the Lincoln County Communications Center received a report of a motor vehicle accident on the Pittston Road in Whitefield.

The driver, Chris L. Conary, 67, of Alna, was operating his silver 2006 Toyota Camry southbound on the Townhouse Road in Whitefield. According to Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, in a news release, the vehicle traveled through the intersection with Pittston Road without stopping. The vehicle then struck a snowbank causing the vehicle to go airborne. The Camry then struck an unoccupied parked vehicle; this resulted in the Camry flipping onto its roof in the adjacent river, which was approximately 5 feet deep at this location.

Conary was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and was wearing his seatbelt, according to LCSO. The driver’s airbag did deploy.

The fire fighters who responded were unable to extract Conary from the vehicle. 

"Unfortunately, Mr. Conary died in this event," said LCSO. "The Medical Examiner’s Office is assisting in the investigation to determine cause of death and if Mr. Conary had a medical event that caused the collision."

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies were assisted by Whitefield Fire and Delta Ambulance.

If any motorists witnessed the event, they are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Rogers is the primary investigator.