A Medford teen was killed and his friend remained in grave condition Tuesday after a head-on collision police said was likely caused by excessive speed.

A second driver was also injured in the accident Monday night, police said.

Nicholas Luongo, 17, a recent high school graduate planning a career in law enforcement, and former schoolmate Christopher Vogel, 20, were both thrown from the 2003 Honda Vogel was driving, police said. Luongo died at the scene and Vogel, who sustained critical injuries, was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center, officials said.

"He was a happy-go-lucky kid, a great kid," said Pasqual Luongo, 51, of his son. Nicholas Luongo, the second of three brothers, graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School last month. He planned to attend Suffolk Community College to study criminal justice and had already put his name on a waiting list to become a Suffolk County police officer, his father said.

"He just went to the Bahamas ... and a bunch of people he just met once there came to his graduation party last Saturday," Luongo said. "That's the kind of kid he was. Everybody liked him."

Vogel was at the wheel of a 2003 Honda headed west on Woodside Ave. at 9:35 p.m. with Luongo in the front seat when he crossed a double yellow line and hit a Mercedes-Benz headed east, police said.

A witness saw the car moving at "an excessive speed" just before the crash, and the length of the debris field also indicated a high-speed collision, said Det. Sgt. Bryan McMenemy. The driver of the Mercedes, Brett Brown, 46, of East Patchogue, was also hurt. He was treated and released from Brookhaven Hospital.

It was not clear if anyone involved was wearing a seat belt, but alcohol is not believed to have contributed to the crash, McMenemy said.

Vogel, of Medford, was a 2005 Patchogue-Medford graduate, while Luongo played varsity football and lacrosse, said principal Manuel Sanzone. Grief counselors will be available to speak with students at the high school library today and Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m.

"We're going to support the family and friends in any way we can," Sanzone said. "I'm sure there will be a tremendous outpouring of support for them."