Local man killed in Springfield crash

A Springfield man died after crashing his truck early Monday morning on Skitchewaug Trail.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100427/NEWS02/4270338/1003/NEWS02 # # # # Area man is killed in Springfield crash  •  Rutland Herald  •  By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: April 27, 2010  •  SPRINGFIELD — A Springfield man died after crashing his truck early Monday morning.  •  At 5:23 a.m., Springfield Police responded a report of a crash on Skitchewaug Trail. Police said Stephen Loewe, 59, was driving just east of the Tree Farm Campground in a 1991 Ford flatbed truck when his vehicle went off the road and struck some trees.  •  Loewe was pronounced dead at the scene while an ambulance was en route, police said. Loewe was the only occupant of the truck and was not wearing his seat belt, although a seat belt would not have saved his life, according to Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston.  •  "A seat belt wouldn't have helped him in this situation," Johnston said, while noting Loewe was not ejected from the vehicle.  •  Police are still working to determine the cause of the crash. Loewe's body was transported to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.  •  "We don't know what happened," Johnston said. "There were no skid marks at all so we don't know if it was a medical issue or he fell asleep at the wheel or what."  •  There were no empty containers in the truck and alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash, police said.  •  Police have not found anyone who witnessed the crash, and anyone with information is asked to call Springfield Police Sgt. William Daniels at 885-2112.  •