OAKLAND TWP — Investigators suspect an elderly West Sunbury man suffered a fatal medical condition late Tuesday afternoon that caused him to lose control of his minivan and crash in the township.

Robert E. Dufford, 77, was driving south on Route 38 just south of Hohn Farm Road shortly before 5 p.m. when his 1999 Dodge Caravan veered off the road, hit an embankment and went into a ditch, state police said.

Dufford was taken by ambulance to Butler Memorial Hospital where a physician pronounced him dead a short time later.

Butler County Coroner William Young III said this morning that while the investigation continues, he believed Dufford suffered an unknown medical issue that triggered the accident.

“We’re waiting for medical and hospital records before we can determine a cause of death,” Young said.

An autopsy was not immediately planned.

Trooper Matt Bartoe, the investigating officer, described the crash as minor, noting that Dufford had no visible injuries.

He was not wearing a seat belt and the driver’s side air bag did not deploy. There apparently were no witnesses.

Bartoe said Route 38 was snow covered but he did not believe the road conditions were a factor in the accident.

The trooper said that when he got to the accident, an East Butler Ambulance crew was working on Dufford and he did not know if the victim was ever conscious following the wreck.

The Lick Hill Volunteer Fire Department assisted police at the scene.