NEW VINEYARD – The driver of the car involved in a fatal accident Oct. 17 on Route 27 has been charged with manslaughter, state Trooper Scott Nichols said.

He said accident reconstructionists determined the car Ryan Hurd, 22, of Lincoln, was driving was going 98 miles per hour at about 1:45 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle. It struck a pole, rolled over and then burst into flames, Nichols said.

Passenger Terry Richardson Jr., 34, of Dover-Foxcroft, died at the scene. Hurd and another passenger, Chad Bernier, 30, of Medway, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Nichols said Hurd was charged with manslaughter at his home by summons on Friday night.

The accident remains under investigation. The case goes before a Franklin County grand jury in January, Nichols said.

State police previously said alcohol and speed were the cause of the accident.