APEX, N.C. — Authorities said speeding was a factor -- and possibly alcohol -- in a Saturday-evening accident that killed two people.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol said Marc Bathrick, 21, of Cary, was driving a Pontiac Grand Prix when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree near the intersection of Castleberry and Wimberly roads in Apex.

Bathrick, a former student at Apex High School, was killed along with his 16-year-old girlfriend, Kelly Brown, who was a current student at Apex High.

According to the Highway Patrol, Bathrick was traveling at least 70 mph in a 55 mph zone and a strong odor of alcohol was detected at the accident scene.

Three other people who were in the car -- including Brown's twin sister -- said that they had asked to get out of the vehicle when Bathrick began driving erratically Saturday evening. The accident happened after they got out.

Grief counselors will be at Apex High School to talk with students. Saturday's accident marks the death of four current and former Apex High students in one school year killed in car accidents -- the last accident just three weeks ago.

On April 16, Andrew Leonard, 19, was killed on Green Level Church Road in Apex when he and a friend were leaving a party. Speed and alcohol, authorities said, were believed to have been factors in that crash as well.

And just two months ago, four Wakefield High School students died in an alcohol-related crash on their way back from a basketball game. Their car flew off the Highway 64 bypass ramp and caught fire.

Investigators believe the driver, Baker Wood, 18, was driving more than 100 mph. An autopsy report also showed Wood's blood alcohol level was .21, nearly three times the legal level for adults.