State police are investigating a one-car crash this morning that killed a 17-year-old in Center Township.

The wreck happened shortly before 7:30 a.m. when the teenager lost control of his car and slammed into a tree along East Brewster Road, authorities said.

“We believe he died on impact,” said Chief Nathan Wulff of the Unionville Volunteer Fire Department.

The victim’s identity was not released pending notification of the next of kin. Police investigators were not immediately available for comment.

Jody Spisak, a Butler Eagle newspaper delivery driver, was on the job and witnessed the accident.

She said she was driving slow around a bend with her blinkers on and heard brakes squealing in the distance. She stopped and saw the victim’s car, a hatchback, coming in the opposite direction.

“It was flying,” Spisak said.

Moments later, she recounted, the car started “fishtailing” as the man applied his brakes.

“It slid sideways all the way into the tree,” Spisak said.

The passenger side of the car hit the large tree that was in a home’s yard. The car’s side sustained severe damage.

The homeowner checked on the driver, who was reported to be unconscious, according to a 911 call.

Wulff said the teen, who was wearing a seat belt, was visibly injured and was dead when emergency crews got there. Authorities said the car’s air bags deployed.

The road was wet from a light morning rain but it was not known if that was a factor in the accident.