PORTLAND (AP) – A Scarborough man has been indicted on manslaughter charges for a crash that killed his 14-year-old passenger.

John Heger, 19, was driving a 2007 Mitsubishi Gallant when he lost control and crashed into a tree on July 12. His passenger, Scarborough Middle School student Brittany Burke, died after being transported to a hospital. The maximum penalty for vehicular manslaughter is 20 years.

Heger is also charged with criminal speeding, a misdemeanor.

The crash happened on a straight stretch of Black Point Road. At the time, Heger told police he swerved to avoid an animal.

AP-ES-10-06-07 1023EDT