A Warren County man died early Sunday, hours after his pickup ran off U.S. 61 South and slammed into a utility pole.

Charles Eunice Brown, 49, 513 Dana Road, was apparently headed home after his shift at the Vicksburg mill of International Paper Co. when the wreck occurred.

Warren County Coroner John Thomason ruled that Brown’s death was as a result of severe injuries to the chest. His body was taken to Mississippi Mortuary in Pearl, where an autopsy was planned.

Deputy Police Chief Richard O’Bannon said the wreck happened at about 2:45 a.m. on U.S. 61 South just north of the Iowa Avenue intersection. He said Brown was headed south in a 2003 Chevy Silverado and apparently ran off the road as he was approaching the intersection.

Vicksburg Patrolman Leonce Young investigated the wreck, the first fatal auto accident in the city in 2006.

Thomason said Brown, who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to River Region Medical Center, where he died about 2 1/2 hours later.

Thomason said Williams Funeral Service was to handle arrangements.