WHITEFIELD —A Whitefield teenager died Monday night after the all-terrain vehicle he was driving crashed into a car on Howe Road.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that the 16-year-old died at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta after he was thrown from his ATV while trying to pass a car on Howe Road. The driver of the car, a 16-year-old South China girl, was not injured.

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Ryan Mullens

Police did not identify the teens, but family members on Tuesday confirmed that the teenager killed in the crash is Ryan Mullens, who attended Cony High School in Augusta and most recently Wiscasset High school.

His great-aunt, Pat Preservati, said Mullens often stayed with her at her camp on Long Pond in Somerville, where she has just moved full-time after living in Massachusetts.

Her great-nephew had been there on the day of the crash, she said.

“He will be greatly missed by the entire family,” Preservati said Tuesday. “They’re just shocked. It was going to be summer and good times ahead.”

The crash was reported around 7 p.m. as the teens both drove north on Howe Road in Whitefield. Mullens, driving a Yamaha ATV, was following the girl, who was driving a Subaru station wagon.

“The ATV entered the southbound travel lane to overtake the Subaru,” police said in the release. “As the ATV returned to the northbound lane it crossed the Subaru’s path and both collided on the side of the roadway.”

The ATV rolled over, throwing Mullens, who was not wearing a helmet. The Subaru stopped on the side of the road.

Mullens was taken by ambulance to MaineGeneral Medical Center where he later died, according to investigators.

The section of Howe Road was closed for about three hours as deputies investigated the crash. Police said the case is still being investigated. Maj. Ken Mason of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office did not return a call Tuesday seeking additional information on the case.

Pam Norton of Somerville, Mullens’ aunt, said her nephew loved riding his ATV and motorcycles as well as hunting and fishing. Mullens’ Facebook page includes numerous photos of off-road vehicles, including snowmobiles, motorcycles and ATVs.

“He didn’t spend much time in the house other than when it was time to go to bed,” Norton said. “He just loved to be outside.”

Norton said Mullen attended Cony High School in Augusta before transferring to Wiscasset High School. Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 Superintendent Howard Tuttle did not return messages seeking comment on any school response to Mullens’ death.

Norton, who last saw her nephew about two weeks ago, said the memories of him will never leave her.

“He was a very loving kid,” she said. “He always wanted to help you.”

Staff Writer Michael Shepherd contributed to this report.