COVINGTON, Ga. – Students at Eastside High School are mourning the loss of a classmate who died early Saturday morning in a single-vehicle traffic accident.

According to a Newton County Sheriff’s Office incident report, deputies responded to the crash on Highway 36 north of Bachelor Road at around 2:08 a.m. Sept. 8 and found a 2000 Ford Expedition off the roadway lying on the passenger side.

A NCSO spokesman said 18-year-old William Hood, of Covington, was pronounced dead at the scene. The spokesman said it appears the driver lost control of the vehicle, ran off the roadway and hit a tree.

Newton County Deputy Coroner Steve Jones responded to the accident scene.

Newton County Coroner Tommy Davis said Hood died of general blunt force trauma. Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected to have played a role in the accident.

"We are saddened by the loss of William Hood and we send our deepest condolences to his family," Newton County School System Public Relations Director Sherri Davis said. "Extra counselors were on hand at Eastside High School today (Monday) to assist students and staff as we know many are grieving his loss.