A Big Coal River area man died early Monday in a head on crash.

A two vehicle crash took place shortly after 5:00 a.m. on Route 3 near Foster early in the hours of Monday morning.

Boone County 911 received reports of an accident and dispatched the Danville Volunteer Fire Department and Boone County Ambulance Authority crews. When units arrived on scene, they reported one person trapped in the wreckage, but soon discovered the victim had died.

A man, 41 year old James L. Morgan of Ashford, was killed while traveling west in his 1987 Ford Ranger pickup. His truck was hit head on by a 2003 Ford pickup truck traveling east on Rt. 3. Boone County Sheriff Rodney Miller said the driver of the second vehicle, 23 year old Michael Todd Brunty of Branchland, Lincoln County, traveled across the road into the westbound lane, directly into the path of Morgan's oncoming pickup truck.

Sheriff Miller said Morgan died at the scene of the crash and had to be extricated by Danville VFD units, while Brunty was flown to CAMC General Hospital by HealthNet. His condition is unknown at this time.

Miller noted that investigators have interviewed an eyewitness which identifies Brunty's vehicle as crossing the road into Morgan's path. Investigators have no clear explanation as to why the vehicle crossed the roadway at this time.

The investigation into the crash is continuing. Investigators are not able to determine if either driver was wearing seatbelts at the time of the incident. The sheriff said criminal charges are expected to be filed in the incident.

The investigation of the crash is being conducted by Boone County Sheriff’s Office Deputy B.G Goodwin and Deputy E.C. Eversole.