LAKE VILLAGE — An 18-year-old Lake Village woman was killed Saturday night after her vehicle left the roadway, became airborne and struck a tree in Newton County.

According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 8:34 p.m. Sept. 5 to the area of 383 E. 600 N. for a single-vehicle crash.

A preliminary investigation determined a 2018 Ford Fusion driven by Nicole Hertaus was traveling eastbound on County Road 600 N. when it left the south side of the roadway for an unknown reason. The vehicle continued through the grass and struck an embankment at a high rate of speed, causing it to become airborne before striking a tree head-on.

Hertaus, who was the vehicle’s sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

Newton County EMS, Morocco Fire Department, Lake Township Fire Department, Newton County Coroner’s Office and Newton County 911 Communications assisted at the scene.