A man was found dead Thursday morning inside a crashed vehicle in Topsfield, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and Topsfield Police Chief Neal Hovey announced.

A passing motorist spotted the crashed vehicle on Route 1 about 7:30 a.m.

The vehicle, believed to have been traveling north, crossed the southbound lane and ended up on the west side of the road in the vicinity of 15 Boston Street.

There was no other vehicle believed to be involved.

The operator and sole occupant was declared deceased a short time later by a member of the Topsfield Fire Department.

His identity is being withheld pending notification of family and friends.

The crash is being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the Topsfield Police Department.