A Michigan City man is dead after reportedly driving his vehicle off the road and hitting a tree.

The crash happened around 7:50 p.m. Sunday night at C.R. 1000 N and C.R. 125 E west of Hesston, according to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office.

Police arrived at the scene and discovered a car that drove into a tree on the south side of the road. The driver, Joseph A. Hixon Jr., 21, of Michigan City, was found pinned in the car and was dead at the scene.

A 20-year-old woman from Michigan City was also in the car. She was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators believe Hixon was speeding and lost control after cresting a hill. It’s believed Hixon was driving about 80 MPH in a 45 MPH zone. That’s based on a report from a passerby as well as the 165 feet of tire marks on the road.

LaPorte County deputy coroner Jessica Hagler ruled Hixon’s cause of death as massive blunt force trauma.