ST. JOSEPH — A burning vehicle was found at 12:37 a.m. Saturday with two bodies inside in New Buffalo Township, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department reported.

Deputy Thad Chartrand of the New Buffalo sub station said sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an unknown fire possibly involving a vehicle in a wooded area near the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Stone’s Throw Lane.

Deputies found a vehicle in the front yard of 16531 Lakeshore Drive fully engulfed in flames.

Once the fire was extinguished by New Buffalo Township firefighters, deputies found two subjects deceased inside the 2012 Volkswagen Passat.

Investigation determined that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Marquette Drive and did not stop for a stop sign at Lakeshore Drive, crossed the roadway, struck a tree and burst into flames, coming to rest in the front yard.

There were no witnesses to the accident, called in to dispatch by a passerby.

Driver and passenger names had not been released Monday pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Both bodies were removed using the Jaws of Life and transported by Medic One ambulance to Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph, where autopsy and toxicology reports will be completed by a medical examiner.

The accident remains under investigation.