21-year-old killed in early morning Mandarin crash

A violent crash on Mandarin Road leaves a driver dead.  The driver was thrown from the car while still strapped in the seat.

Jacksonville Police say 21-year-old Alexander Pepple was driving a small red car heading south on Mandarin Road near Loretto Friday morning when he hit a tree and rotated across the road. This happened shortly before 3 AM.

Pepple was pronounced dead on the scene and the investigation is still ongoing, but investigators do believe alcohol and speed were contributing factors in the crash.