NATCHEZ — An Adams County man died Wednesday after his vehicle crashed into a tree along Morgantown Road.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten confirmed the fatality Wednesday afternoon, and the man was soon after identified as 40-year-old Michael Hulsey.

Only a few blocks from his home, Hulsey lost control of his vehicle on Morgantown Road near the Natchez Shrine Club, Adams County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jerry Brown said.

Brown said the sheriff’s office received a 911 call about the collision just after noon. Because deputies happened to already be on Morgantown Road, Brown said, they were able to arrive on scene within the minute.

But even with the immediate response time, Brown said Hulsey could not be saved.

“He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics,” Brown said.

Hulsey was wearing his seatbelt when he crashed, Brown said.

An eyewitness driving behind Hulsey reportedly gave deputies an account of what happened. Brown said Hulsey was traveling “at a high rate of speed” when his vehicle came off the roadway.

Deputies believe Hulsey responded with an overcorrection, sending the vehicle across the oncoming lane of traffic and colliding with the tree off the left side of the road.

Brown said when deputies arrived, they found Hulsey’s Ford Crown Victoria wrapped around the tree.

No passengers occupied the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Brown lamented the incident and said Hulsey was driving toward his residence before the crash.

“And just a few days before Christmas,” Brown said.

Brown said no other vehicles were involved in the collision.