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RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) The Highway Patrol says a car crossed the center line of a road and hit a tree just outside Rapid City, killing the driver and injuring a passenger.

The names of the victims were not immediately released.

Authorities said speed and alcohol likely were factors in the crash. It happened just before 4 a.m. Monday, on North Haines Avenue, about a mile outside of Rapid City.

The Highway Patrol said the driver was thrown from the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. A female passenger was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Information from: KELO-TV, http://www.keloland.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-09-09 1021CST | save this article / add to your favorites list