FOXBORO - A local father suffered an apparent fatal heart attack before crashing his car near his home Sunday night, authorities say.

Patrick Foreman, 50, of 120 Cocasset St., was driving about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, when he "appeared to just drift over and struck a tree" in front of 29 Elm St., Police Chief Edward O'Leary said.

Firefighters performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Foreman, who was pronounced dead at Norwood Hospital.

Foreman is survived by a 16-year-old son who attends Foxboro High School, O'Leary said.

Foxboro High Principal Jeffrey Theodoss said teachers and guidance counselors were told of the accident, so they could comfort students who request it. "You just want to make sure the kids know they're there to support whatever they need," Theodoss said.

Foreman had lived at Spruce Meadows, a townhouse and apartment complex, since November 2007 after moving from Bristol, Conn., according to the complex management office.

Foreman was a sales engineer, a management official said.