MONT VERNON — A former town selectman died in a car crash just seconds from his home Sunday.

Police say Peter Savage, who served as a selectman for several years about a decade ago, was driving a 1966 Ford Fairlane Coupe southbound on Kendall Hill Road around 5:30 p.m. when it crashed.

Savage, 60, of Westgate Road, may have suffered a medical problem that contributed to the accident, according to Police Chief Kyle Aspinwall.

Witnesses told authorities that the antique car suddenly crossed over into the opposite lane of travel, hit a tree and turned over onto its side.

“At this time, we have ruled out speed,” said Aspinwall, adding alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash either. “Right now our focus in on the possibility that he had some sort of medical issue, maybe a cardiac event.”

When police and emergency crews responded to the accident, Savage and his wife, Marilyn Savage, 58, were both trapped inside the vehicle.

Although Peter Savage was pronounced dead at the scene, his wife, a passenger in the car, had to be extracted from the damaged vehicle, according to Aspinwall.

“She is expected to recover,” said the chief, who could not elaborate on her injuries. She was flown by helicopter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon after the accident.

Marilyn Savage is also well known in the community. She was a former town clerk and served on various budget committees with her husband.

The accident occurred just 200 yards from their home, said Aspinwall, explaining Peter Savage would have been very familiar with the downhill stretch of road with a slight curve where the crash took place.

Aspinwall described Peter Savage as an avid classic car collector who was well known in the Mont Vernon area. He owned and operated Savage Muscle Car Museum from his home at 6 Westgate Road.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday.