An Anson man died early Sunday morning in a car crash in Madison, police said.

Eugene Hutchins, 54, was killed in the single-vehicle crash, according to Madison police Chief Barry Moores. Hutchins, driving a 1997 Jeep on River Road, veered off shortly after 12:30 a.m. and hit a utility pole, Moores said. Hutchins was ejected from the Jeep and was dead when police arrived on the scene Moores said.

Police still don’t know what caused the crash, Moores said.

“All we know right now is the vehicle left the roadway, traveled a distance in a ditch, hit a culvert and hit a utility pole,” Moores said Monday.

Moores said police are investigating and awaiting results of a drug and alcohol test from the medical examiner, which is standard procedure.

Because Hutchins was ejected, Moores said police are working under the assumption that he was not wearing a seatbelt.

Hutchinson was known throughout the greater Skowhegan area, said Bart Hughes, owner of Southside Tavern in Skowhegan, who said he had known Hutchinson for about 25 years. He said Hutchinson, known as Hoofer to his friends, had worked in construction and at the tavern, and had built a reputation as a person who could be counted on to lend a hand when someone needed help.

“He was certainly a well-known and liked member of the community here in Skowhegan,” Hughes said. “There’s nobody in town who really didn’t know him.”

Morning Sentinel Staff Writer Kaitlin Schroeder contributed to this story

Matt Hongoltz-Hetling — 861-9287

mhhetling@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @hh_matt