An accident on Thanksgiving day took the life of a motorcycle driver.

Just before the accident, the driver of the Honda CVR600, identified as Albert Nicholas Mangiaracina, 21, of 127 Suttora Lane, Carriere, was seen passing cars at a high rate of speed, according to the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department. He then left the road while attempting to take a curve, striking a pine tree.

The accident took place Thursday at about 10:04 a.m. on West Union Road, east of Sycamore Road. Mangiaracina was west-bound at the time of the accident, said Sheriff Joe Stuart.

A witness said Mangiaracina passed them at a high rate of speed just before he attempted to take a curve on the road. Witnesses said Mangiaracina attempted to take the curve and instead he left the road in a straight path on the left hand side and struck pine tree, Stuart said.

“Speed was a factor in the accident, based on witness statements,” Stuart said.

Mangiaracina reportedly died on scene due to head and torso injuries sustained in the impact with the tree, the sheriff said.

Stuart said there was no evidence at the scene to lead the department to believe intoxicating substances were involved.