Preliminary indications are that alcohol was a factor and ACT Policing crash investigators will also examine the role speed and fatigue may have played.

A 29-year-old Kaleen man who was in the rear-left-hand-side passenger seat died in the crash, which happened about 1.30am on Saturday. His is the ACT’s first road death of 2014.

A woman believed to be of a similar age was in the front passenger seat and suffered serious head injuries. Police said her condition was critical but stable.

The male driver and a male passenger sitting behind him were also treated at Canberra Hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.

It was the eighth crash on the 800-metre stretch of William Slim Drive between Dumas Street and Ginninderra Drive since January 2011. Two others also resulted in injury.

That represents 37 per cent of crashes resulting in injury on that particular stretch of road compared with a territory-wide average of 6 per cent of the 8000 on-road crashes each year, according to ACT government data.

The single lane, non-divided, two-way road has an 80km/h speed limit.

The first call to police about Saturday’s smash was made by an occupant of the car, which crashed within a few metres of the back fence of McKellar houses near the intersection of Dumas Street.

A nearby resident heard the crash and was first on the scene, providing first aid. A police patrol was nearby on Baldwin Drive and at the crash site within minutes.

Among the first people to come across the scene were friends of the victims travelling in the same direction in another car.

Duty officer Sergeant Louise Denley said it was a devastating accident.

‘‘It’s getting to the point where how often do we have to say speed, alcohol and fatigue can all end up like this?’’ she said.

‘‘It’s not just the personal devastation that has occurred to these four individuals; it’s their families, their friends and everyone else on the road.’’

The car appeared to have struck the tree head-on to the driver’s side and to have bounced back from the tree. Driver and front passenger airbags had been deployed. Sergeant Denley said initial indications were that the driver could have been under the influence of alcohol and driving at high speed.

‘‘[Speed] is certainly something that’s always looked at and I’d suggest that is a major factor they’ll be investigating,’’ she said.

Residents who back on to William Slim Drive near the point of the accident said the road was generally trouble-free.

While the 80km/h limit was reasonable, one resident said the intersection with Dumas Street could be problematic.

He said the street had less traffic since the construction of the Gungahlin Drive Extension.

Any witnesses to the crash can contact police on 1800 333 000 or can visit act.crime stoppers.com.au

With FLETA PAGE