A Gwinnett County man was killed Tuesday after his car smashed into a tree, according to police.

Investigators said 52-year-old Michael Baker of Grayson was found dead in the vehicle in the area of Bennett Road and Reserve Drive. Officers were sent to the crash site shortly before 6 p.m. when a 911 caller reported that a silver car hit a tree, Gwinnett police said Wednesday in a news release.

Investigators determined Baker was traveling eastbound on Bennett Road when he failed to negotiate a curve and struck the tree, according to the release.

Baker was the only person in the car, police said. Authorities are investigating to see if speed or alcohol played any part in the crash.

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