"Everyone just loved that kid," said David Crann, a friend of the victim, Blair Hardy. "That's why everyone's so bummed out right now -- cause it's so unexpected."

Investigators believe Hardy lost control of his 1997 Volkswagen Jetta in the 12300 block of Braddock Road about 4:30 a.m. Monday. Hardy was rounding a curve while traveling westbound. He hit a church driveway then launched across the media, gouging the grass and slamming into a telephone pole.

Hardy was pronounced dead at the scene. He had just graduated from Centreville High School in June.

Investigators believe speed was a factor in the crash. The car hit the pole with such force, the engine kept going, landing several yards away.

"It looked horrible," said Charles Foley, a neighbor. "It looked like it hit going 80, 90 miles an hour to the driver's side of the car. It was just torn to pieces."

Hardy's passenger, a 15-year-old girl from Centreville, was MedEvaced to Inova Fairfax Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Investigators are trying to figure out where the two were before the crash.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

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