A Silver Creek man was killed Tuesday when his car left theroadway and struck trees on St. Stephens road, authoritiessaid.

Herbert R. McCloud III, 37, of 2925 Highway 43, was pronounceddead in the Lawrence County Hospital emergency room shortly afterbeing transported by ambulance from the scene of the crash, saidCoroner Sidney Fortenberry.

Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Ray Smith saidMcCloud was traveling east on St. Stephens Road east of Arm Roadjust after 5 p.m. when his Chevrolet Impala went off the road,climbed a leaning tree and left skid marks about six to eight feetup the tree. The Impala then struck a bole in the tree, flippingthe car around into a second tree and sending it skidding backwardsacross the road.

“He was apparently traveling at a high rate of speed,” Smithsaid.

Fortenberry, who said he travels that road every day,agreed.

“There’s a little hump in the road where he left it,” he said.”If you go over that hump, you can easily lose control at highspeeds. It’s in a curve – not a bad curve – but enough of one thatif you lose traction you’re in trouble.”

Monticello Fire Department Capt. Hugh Summers said the Jaws ofLife were dispatched to the scene and used to extricate McCloudfrom the vehicle.

The department also extinguished a fire in the trees caused bythe engine after it separated from the car.

Information on funeral arrangements for McCloud wasunavailable.