Portola Valley resident Charles Derwin, 23, died early Sunday morning (Dec. 27) in a single-car accident on Portola Road, according to firefighters from the Woodside Fire Protection District.

Mr. Derwin is the son of Maryann Moise Derwin, a Town Council member since 2004 who was elected mayor earlier this month by her colleagues.

Mr. Derwin graduated from Corte Madera Middle School in 2006, according to Almanac records.

A special team from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is investigating the accident, Deputy Salvador Zuno said.

After receiving a 911 call at about 12:20 a.m. from a resident who reported hearing a collision, firefighters from the Portola Valley station arrived to find a vehicle engulfed in flames and sitting in the middle of the road in the vicinity of the mini mall at 884 Portola Road, Battalion Chief Kevin Butler said.

"Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire but were unable to save the driver, who had succumbed to injuries from the accident," Fire Marshal Denise Enea said in statement. Seven firefighters and a battalion chief responded to the incident, she said.

Medics pronounced Mr. Derwin dead at the scene, Mr. Butler said. Mr. Derwin was the car's only occupant.

Initial examination of the scene led investigators to characterize the accident as a high-impact collision involving a tree and a road sign, resulting in severe damage to the front end of the car, Ms. Enea said.

The vehicle was a gray 2011 Toyota Prius and was found pointed in a southerly direction, Deputy Zuno said.

In addition to firefighters and sheriff's deputies, agencies responding to the scene included the county Coroner's Office and town's Public Works Department, Mr. Butler said. Firefighters were on the scene until about 5 a.m., he said.