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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A driver lost control of his car Sunday morning and hit two trees, killing the passenger.

Police said the driver, Lawrence J. Houston, was intoxicated and driving without a valid license.

Houston was traveling with a female passenger southbound on I-240 north of McLemore Street, police said. He lost control, and the car spun around and left the roadway. It then struck a tree, continued southbound and struck another tree on the passenger side.

A witness heard the crash and told police he saw Houston trying to pull the passenger out of the vehicle.

A Memphis Fire ambulance responded to the scene and pronounced the passenger dead shortly after the crash.

Houston was transported to Regional Medical Center in noncritical condition.

An officer obtained a warrant to take a blood sample from the driver, who was then arrested and charged with vehicle homicide, DUI, reckless driving, driving while license suspended/revoked/cancelled, no driver’s license and financial responsibility.

Police have not yet released the name of the victim.