(ELKHART COUNTY) – A car crashed into a tree early Sunday morning, claiming the lives of three people and injuring two others.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department says that 18 year old Juan Mendoza of Elkhart was driving east in the 23,000 block of Toledo Road just after 3 AM Sunday. The car went off the road, striking a tree, and then coming to a stop.

Mendoza was killed in the crash. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

Two other passengers were also killed in the crash. They are 19 year old Eduardo Santos and 21 year old Nayeli Navarro. Two more passengers, ages 18 and 17, were both taken to an area hospital to be treated for their injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.