ANSON — A 79-year-old man was killed in a car crash Monday afternoon on the River Road in North Anson, according to the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

Leroy Welch, of Anson, was heading north in a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer and was beginning to turn left near what is known locally as the Williams Farm when his vehicle was struck by another trying to pass him, Chief Deputy Mike Mitchell said Tuesday.

Olivia Ackerson, 20, of Anson, the driver who hit Welch’s car on the driver’s side, was also heading north in a 2008 Ford Fusion and had just passed two other vehicles behind Welch, Mitchell said.

Welch, who was not wearing a seatbelt and had no passengers, was pronounced dead on scene after the crash, Mitchell said.

Ackerson, who was alone in her vehicle and wearing a seatbelt, was not injured, aside from cuts on her hand, he said.

The crash was reported around 1:35 p.m. and closed the road for more than an hour during the investigation, Mitchell said.

The crash remains under investigation, but speed is believed to be a factor, according to Mitchell.

The stretch of River Road where it happened is a straight stretch with relatively new pavement, where motorists tend to pass other vehicles, Mitchell said.

It was unclear why Welch was turning left, Mitchell said. He reportedly had his turn signal on, but the driveway into which it appeared he was turning is a former heating oil company that is no longer in business and vacant.

Ackerson’s exact speed at the time of crash had not been determined as of Tuesday morning, Mitchell said.

Detective Michael Lyman and Sgt. Joseph Jackson, both of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, are reconstructing the crash; Deputy Allen-Michael Jones is the primary investigator.

Mitchell said he was unsure if Ackerson will face charges. The Sheriff’s Office’s investigation report will be turned over to the Somerset County district attorney’s office to review once completed, he said.

While it is not illegal to pass three vehicles in a row, it is against the law in Maine to pass while exceeding the speed limit, Mitchell said.

“It’s risky when you’re passing three vehicles at once,” he said.

The Anson and Madison fire departments and an Anson-Madison-Starks ambulance crew also responded to the crash.