Excessive speed and alcohol may have contributed to the death of a 38-year-old Seattle man who died in a one-car rollover accident on Langley Road Saturday, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The accident, which occurred near the intersection with Triangle Road in the early morning hours, killed the only occupant of the car when he was ejected into the back seat of his station wagon.

According to the state patrol, Peter J. Thomas of Seattle was traveling north on Langley Road at about 2:50 a.m. when he apparently lost control of his 2001 Subaru station wagon. The vehicle rolled over, coming to rest on its top in the roadway.

State patrol spokesman Lance Ramsay said the cause of the crash has yet to be determined.

“There is an ongoing investigation into the accident,” he said. “Alcohol and excessive speed may have been contributing factors to the accident. It is not known at this time.”

Whidbey General Hospital paramedics, Island County Sheriff’s deputies and Fire District 3 rescue and fire personnel from Langley and Clinton stations responded to the scene. Langley Road remained closed well into Saturday morning as state patrol officials investigated the accident.

According to Jerry Beck, the public education officer with Island County Fire District 3, Thomas did get help shortly after the accident, though to no avail.

“A passerby evidently stopped and cut the victim’s seatbelt to keep him from choking, then went to a nearby house to call 911,” Beck said.