Auburndale man dies in Columbia County crash

A 37-year-old Auburndale man died Thursday morning when he drove his pickup off County Road 245 in Columbia County south of Lake City and hit a tree.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) release, the man was traveling east on CR 240 and was approaching County Road 245 at 6:10 a.m. when he drove across CR 245 onto the east shoulder where he struck a tree.

Emergency responders pronounced him dead on scene. He was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt.