Greenwood teen dies after car hits tree

Police said alcohol may have played a part in the accident, which happened near the Detroit Edison Greenwood Energy Center.

Joshua Harding was driving west on gravel-covered Hewitt Road about a half-mile east of Duce Road when he drove off the south side of the road a few minutes after 5 a.m., police said.

The car slid sideways and struck a tree on the driver's side door.

Harding suffered massive head injuries and was pronounced dead at Port Huron Hospital.

St. Clair County Sheriff Department officials said Harding was driving with four passengers.

Leonard Powell, 18, of Grosse Pointe and Justin Gunnell, 19, of Greenwood Township were not injured, deputies said.

James Lewis, 18, of Harper Woods was treated in Mercy Hospital in Port Huron and released.

Sarah Tolman, 18, of Clyde Township was transported out of Port Huron Hospital. Her condition and the hospital to which she was taken are unknown.

"They were on their way to (Harding's) house," Sgt. Matt Paulus said.

Paulus, who was not at the accident, said the accident report indicates no one in the car was wearing a seat belt.

The accident remains under investigation, officials said.

It's not known if the four passengers will face alcohol-offense charges.

Greenwood Township is in north central St. Clair County.

The sheriff department was assisted by Tri-Hospital EMS and Kenockee Township Fire and Rescue.