Christopher Andrew Madren, who was supposed to report to North Davidson High School Monday for his senior year, died in a car accident Saturday morning.

A native of Rowan County, Madren, 18, of Winchester Drive, attended Bethesda United Methodist Church and was a part of the Welcome Volunteer Fire Department.

According to the N.C. Highway Patrol, Madren's 2000 Toyota sedan was traveling an estimated 65 mph in a 45-mph zone when it ran off the right shoulder of Leonard Road, a half mile south of Oakwood Drive, about 6:25 a.m. He overcorrected, crossed the center line and ran off the right shoulder again. He later collided with a sign and a ditch. That caused the vehicle to overturn and Madren to be ejected. The vehicle came to rest in the yard on Leonard Road.

"He was always a polite and friendly young man," said the Rev. Doug Hochmuth, pastor of Bethesda UMC. "I liked him."

Madren's older sister, Melody Evans, said her brother was giving and loving. He loved to visit people in the hospital and loved older people in the church.

"There were so many things about Christopher," Evans said. "He was very attentive to the needs of those around him."

Evans said Madren found out that he had made the high school's choral ensemble and was a senior firefighter at the Welcome VFD.

"He was very helpful up here," said Michael White, the Welcome VFD chief.

"We'll miss him," Evans said. "He's really been a strength for my family.