SOUTH THOMASTON — The driver of a car traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 131 in South Thomaston early Thursday evening reportedly lost control and drove off the road, striking many trees and rolling over multiple times, ending in the death of one of two passengers.

Zachary Elwell, 21, of St. George was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, according to Knox County Chief Deputy Tim Carroll Thursday, May 25, around 7 p.m. Elwell was a passenger in a car being driven by Kelsey Campbell, 19, of South Thomaston. The other passenger in the car was Austin Jurkowski, 19, of St. George.

Knox County Sheriff’s deputies were investigating the single-car crash late into the night Wednesday, according to Carroll. He said that witnesses stated the car was traveling at a high rate of speed and had just passed a vehicle before losing control and going off the road.

Jurkowski and Campbell were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to Carroll.

The Sheriff’s Office Reconstruction and Mapping Teams spent many hours Thursday night investigating the crash, and Carroll said it is believed that alcohol was a contributing factor in the cause. He added that the investigation continues.

South Thomaston Fire and Ambulance, and St. George and Thomaston Fire departments assisted at the scene, as well as Knox County Regional Communications dispatchers who helped with coordination of all the emergency responders and investigators involved.