MARION TWP, Beaver County — A Butler County man died early Saturday morning when his speeding car slammed into a tree and burst into flames on rural Route 588, authorities said.

Firefighters found the badly burned body of Christopher Cleaver, 25, of Zelienople inside his Oldsmobile Cutlass after a passing motorist spotted the vehicle in flames about one-quarter mile from the Beaver-Butler County line.

Beaver County Deputy Coroner William Pasquale Jr. pronounced Cleaver dead at the scene about an hour after the 4:15 a.m. crash. The cause of death that followed an autopsy was listed as massive injuries to the chest.

State police said Cleaver was driving west on Route 588, a two-lane road divided by a solid double yellow line, when his car crossed the eastbound lane and struck a tree nearly head-on before catching fire.

Investigators, who suspect speed was a factor in the crash, said the road was relatively dry and noted there were apparently no skid marks left by Cleaver's car.

Authorities did not immediately know where Cleaver was going to or coming from before the wreck. Pasquale noted that toxicology results are pending.

Apasser-by called 911 after seeing the car on fire. The caller did not know there was anyone inside the vehicle.

Firefighters with the Big Knob Volunteer Fire Department only discovered Cleaver's body in the driver's seat when they put out the fire, which destroyed the car, authorities said.

An Ellwood City, Lawrence County, native, Cleaver worked for Hughes Wheel &Axle in Zelienople. Funeral services are planned at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Boylan Funeral Home in Zelienople.