A Linfield College basketball player was killed early Sunday when her car crashed into a pole in Newberg, police said.

Chelsea Peterson, 18, of Hockinson, Wash., was pronounced dead at the scene, said Julie Carrasco, a Newberg police spokeswoman.

Police are still investigating what caused the crash.

Peterson was driving south on Highway 99 when her car struck the pole near the intersection with Harrison Street, police said. A passerby called 911 about 4 a.m. to report the crash.

According to the college's Web site, Peterson was a freshman nursing major who played forward and center on the Linfield basketball team. At Hockinson High School, she was a four-year basketball team captain and a two-time first team all-Trico League center. She set the school single-game records for most points (31) and rebounds (18) and averaged 16 points a game.