EL PASO, Texas -- New Mexico Department of Public Safety officials said 18-year-old Raul Maldonado died after losing control of his 2008 Mazda M3I.

State police officers responded to Stern Road near mile post 11 just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

After an investigation, officers said Maldonado had lost control of his car and struck a tree, causing his car to go airborne and come to a rest in the front yard of a home.

Maldonado was taken to Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators said while alcohol did not play a part in the crash, they believe speed contributed. The investigators also said Maldonado was not wearing his seat belt.