STEUBEN COUNTY - A Hamilton teen was killed after his car hit a tree.

The Steuben County Sheriff's Department said at approximately 11:12 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20 deputies responded to reports of a single-vehicle accident in the 2400 block of E. Bellefontaine Road in rural Hamilton.

Deputies discovered 17-year-old Leland E. Lester of Hamilton laying in the roadway.

Reports state Lester's vehicle had been travelling eastbound on Bellefontaine Road at a high rate of speed before leaving the roadway and striking a tree head-on.

The vehicle sustained catastrophic damage causing the driver to be ejected from the vehicle.

Lester was pronounced dead at the scene by the Steuben County Coroner's Office from blunt force trauma.

He was not wearing a seatbelt and alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation by the Steuben County Sheriff's Department.

Assisting at the scene were the Hamilton Police Department, Indiana State Police, Hamilton Fire/Rescue, Steuben County EMS and Steuben County Coroner's Office.