AUBURN, Ind. — A 28-year-old Ashley man was injured late Monday night after the Buick Regal he was driving left County Road 31 and struck a tree in DeKalb County, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the 6000 block of County Road 31 near Auburn shortly after 10:24 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, for a reported single-vehicle property-damage crash.

The sheriff’s office identified the driver as Brandon Smith, 28, of Ashley.

According to investigators, Smith was driving a 2011 Buick Regal southbound on County Road 31 at a high rate of speed. Deputies determined the vehicle was traveling too fast for the road conditions, causing it to leave the roadway and collide with a tree.

The crash injured Smith, who suffered an abrasion to his right hand.

Deputies also reported that Smith showed signs of impairment at the scene. He was taken to Parkview Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

The sheriff’s office said alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash, and an operating while intoxicated investigation was initiated.

The results of that investigation were still pending as of the department’s Aug. 24 accident report. The investigation remains ongoing.

No injured passengers or pedestrians were reported, and the sheriff’s office listed the Buick as a total loss.

Deputy Kathryn Berlew is the investigating officer.

Because the OWI investigation remains pending, no final determination regarding potential charges was included in the sheriff’s office’s initial release.