JAY — A Weld man died early Sunday after calling 911 to alert Franklin County dispatchers that he had been in an accident, Jay police Sgt. Troy Young said.
William Espeaignette, 75, told dispatchers before collapsing that his pickup truck was over an embankment and on its side off Route 17 in North Jay, police said.
Espeaignette collapsed while talking to dispatchers on the phone, Young said in a statement.
Officers Michael Mejia and Mark Lemos found Espeaignette unresponsive on the side of the road next to his cell phone, he said.
Officers started cardiopulmonary resuscitation until NorthStar Emergency Medical Services personnel could arrive, he said.
Espeaignette was pronounced dead at the scene, Young said.
The cause of death remains under investigation, he said.
“Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash,” Young said.
Espeaignette’s truck was located about 150 feet off the road at the bottom of an embankment, he said.
Police estimated it had $5,000 damage.
“It was determined that Espeaignette was the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle,” Young said.
Assisting Jay police were officers and deputies Wilton Police Department and Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.
Jay firefighters also responded and assisted with closing the road, also known as East Dixfield Road, for about four hours.
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