CENTER TWP — State police are investigating a one-car crash Tuesday morning that killed a 17-year-old township boy on the same road where he lived.

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

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

Butler County Coroner William Young III pronounced the teen dead at the scene. He died of severe injuries to his head, neck and chest. No autopsy was performed.

Brian White, Butler school superintendent, confirmed Tuesday that Alex was a senior in the district and was headed to school when the accident happened.

An announcement was made to students in the senior high school and the district was making counselors available to students, White said.

“What a terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends,” White said.

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 flashers on and heard brakes squealing in the distance. She stopped and saw the victim's car, a hatchback sedan, coming in the opposite direction.

“It was flying,” Spisak said.

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

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

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

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

Wulff said the boy, 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.

Police investigators were not immediately available for comment.

Funeral arrangements were unknown as of press time.