FREEPORT — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl on Saturday.

The patrol’s Steubenville post issued a news release in the wake of the single-vehicle accident that resulted in one fatality. The crash occurred at 3:32 p.m. on Old Smyrna Road near Ohio 800 in Freeport Township, Harrison County.

According to the patrol, the girl was driving a black, 2016 Kawasaki Mule Pro west on Old Smyrna Road when it traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a ditch.

The side-by-side utility vehicle then overturned onto the road a short distance from the driver’s home.

“Unsafe speed is a contributing factor in the crash,” the patrol notes in the release.

After the crash, the driver of the Kawasaki was taken to Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center in Cambridge, Ohio, where she was later pronounced deceased.

The crash also involved a 14-year-old passenger from Hopedale. That girl was treated for minor injuries at the scene, according to the patrol, and was then released to her parents.

In addition to the patrol, agencies assisting at the scene included the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, Freeport Community Volunteer Fire Department, Bowerston Fire Department, Deersville Community VFD, Moorefield Township VFD, Washington Township VFD and Blackie’s Towing.

The crash remains under investigation.