A 19-year-old Northeastern sophomore was killed in an early morning car accident Dec. 23 after he struck a tree in his hometown of New Orleans, according to the Times-Picayune.

James “Jay” Carisella II died at the scene of the accident from head and internal injuries, the paper reported Dec. 24.

Carisella was reportedly driving the car and riding with a passenger who was treated for minor injuries, according to the paper.

The one-car accident, which happened at about 4 a.m., followed a night of rainy weather, but local police did not say whether speed or road conditions were a factor. The paper reported that toxicology tests were being ordered for Carisella.

He graduated in 2006 from Metairie Park Country Day School in Louisiana, where he was on the cross country, soccer and track teams, and was considered among the top cross country athletes in the country.

A Northeastern spokesperson said university officials would determine memorial plans next week. A funeral Mass was said Dec. 28 at the Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in New Orleans.

Carisella leaves his parents, James and Dianne, both formerly of Wakefield, and his sister, Olivia.