KENOSHA - A Kenosha area man is suspected of driving drunk in a traffic crash that killed his passenger early Friday.

Kenosha police said 22-year-old Cassandra A. Richins was trapped in the front seat after the car crashed into a tree at a high rate of speed about 2:30 a.m.

The 21-year-old driver had gotten out of the car and was walking around when officers arrived. Richins was pronounced dead at the scene after she was extricated from the car.

The 21-year-old Kenosha man driving the cars was walking around outside the vehicle. He was taken to Aurora Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and was placed under police guard.

Alcohol and speed appear to be contributing factors, according to investigators.

Police say the man and woman recently moved to the Kenosha area from New Mexico.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)