SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — A driver may have crashed his car into the base of a sign at the entrance to Slippery Rock High School four hours before his body was discovered early Saturday morning, according to investigators.

Andrew T. Chupka, 23, of Butler was dead when emergency crews arrived about 6 a.m. at the scene at the intersection of Route 173 and Rocket Drive, said Chief Ken Taggart of the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company.

Chupka’s body was found inside his badly damaged 2006 Chevrolet sedan, which ended up on its driver’s side in a homeowner’s yard.

But state police suspect the deadly wreck may have happened around 2 a.m.

The homeowner reported hearing a crash about 2 a.m. but apparently did not think anything of it. He did not call police until about 6 a.m. when he discovered the wreckage.

Butler County Coroner William Young III pronounced Chupka dead at the scene. He died of major injuries to his body, Young said. An autopsy was not expected to be done.

Police said Chupka was speeding southbound on Route 173 when his car left the road at a curve. The vehicle went off the east side of the road and hit the stone foundation for the school sign.

Chupka was wearing a seat belt but it broke during the crash.

Evidence at the scene suggested the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, police said.

“The engine was knocked out of the vehicle,” said police Lt. Eric Hermick.