BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) — A promising high school athlete is killed in a tragic crash. Friends and teammates are mourning the All-American swimmer.

Meghan McCorkell has more on the accident that took his life.

His swimming coaches say Alec Cosgarea dreamed of making it to the Junior Nationals, but that dream ended in tragedy Monday night.

Alec Cosgarea, 17, was known for his prowess in the pool.

“He just had that can do attitude you wish all your athletes had—he had it. He had the entire package,” said NBAC Coach Erik Nosegay.

But Monday night, his young life was cut short. Police say Cosgarea was driving on Greenspring Avenue when he spun out on a curve and slammed into a tree. He died at Maryland Shock Trauma.

“The crash investigation indicates that speed was a factor in this case,” said Elise Armacost, Baltimore County Police.

The deadly crash happened at a particularly dangerous time for teens. According to AAA, 20 percent of fatal crashes involving 16 and 17-year-old drivers happen during July and August.

“Teens are out of school. They have more time on their hands; they spend more time behind the wheel,” said Christine Delise, AAA Mid-Atlantic.

More than a third of fatal teen crashes happen between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. It was just before 10:30 p.m. when Cosgarea lost control of his car.

Coaches say the teen had competed in his final summer swim team meet just hours before the crash. He swam for the North Baltimore Aquatic Club and was a senior at the McDonogh School. He spoke with WJZ last summer about his business making art from duct tape. Those close to him say his dedication was inspiring.

“All the other guys knew he was going to be there so they were going to be there and he was that quiet leader by example,” Nosegay said.

He began swimming at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club when he was six. Both his parents and his two older brothers are also swimmers.

In lieu of flowers, the Cosgarea family is asking for contributions to Swim Across America, a charity that raises money for cancer research.