Ealrier this morning, the St. Louis Sheriff's Office was notified of a severely damaged vehicle located in the ditch which appeared abandoned.  

When deputies arrived, a lone occupant was located deceased in the vehicle.

The vehicle was travelling northbound on Jean Duluth Road before leaving the roadway into the ditch.  The vehicle struck a driveway embankment, became airborne and struck two trees approximately 15 feet off the ground before coming to a rest on the roof.

Anthony Louis Makela III was identified as the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and the Midwest Medical Examiners Office will continue to investigate the factors contributing to the crash.  

Lakewood Fire, St. Louis County Rescue Squad and St. Louis County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene.