Two people were hospitalized in stable condition Monday when their car left Hill Road in Clinton and hit a stand of trees. Police say the impact was so severe the engine dislodged from the Volvo XC90 and came to a rest on the other side of the road. Clinton Police Department photo

CLINTON — A car traveling at high speed veered off Hill Road and hit a stand of trees, causing a passenger to be thrown from the vehicle, police said Tuesday.

Steven Velasquez, 33, was driving toward Clinton in a 2004 Volvo XC90 when he swerved and lost control of the car before crashing into the trees, Clinton police Chief Stanley “Rusty” Bell said.

Kimberly Munster, 22, was ejected from the car, according to Bell, and the impact was so severe the engine broke loose and landed on the other side of the road.

Velasquez and Munster were hospitalized for treatment following the crash shortly after 10 a.m. Monday. They were later listed in stable condition.

Velasquez suffered internal bruising and Munster a cut to the back of her head, Bell said.

Velasquez was wearing a seat belt, Bell said, and Munster was not.

Velasquez and Munster had been arguing moments before the crash, Bell said, and the car was traveling at a high speed, but it was not clear Tuesday how fast the vehicle was traveling.

The Maine State Police were working to reconstruct the crash, including the vehicle’s speed.

No charges had been filed Tuesday, but the investigation was ongoing, Bell said.

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