MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Police said a 13-year-old driver caused a fiery collision that left one person dead.

Related: SLIDESHOW | VIDEO

Safety Department spokesman Mike Browning said Trooper Michael Marvin arrived shortly after the crash and pulled the young driver from the SUV, which burst into flames after the impact.

The 13-year-old's passenger was able to escape. The driver of the other car, 43-year-old Earl Draine, was killed, police said.

It happened in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 24 near the Highway 840 exit in Rutherford County.

According to the Murfreesboro Post, the boy, who was driving a Ford Explorer, lost control and veered into the car driven by Draine.

Draine was traveling with his daughter, Latosha; her brother, Trenton Locke; and a friend. They were coming back from Latosha’s 20th birthday party in Nashville.

When Draine’s car crashed, the family knew immediately because they were traveling right behind them.

"You have to pray and you have to know he's doing better than the rest of us,” said Draine’s sister, Mary Buchanan.

Police said they believe the teen's inexperience behind the wheel caused the crash. Buchanan said she wonders if it’s more than driving skill lacking in his life.

“Something is missing for him if he's out at that time of night at that age driving a car at that age,” she said.

Buchanan said she feels blessed that Latosha Draine’s 4-month-old son, Christian, was not in the car at the time. She said while she struggles to deal with the end of her brother's life, she knows for the two boys that living through the crash is just the beginning.

“This is something they’re going to have to live with. They got a long time to go. Earl's gone; he don't have to worry about it. They're still here; they're going to always think about it,” she said.

Latosha Draine and Locke are in stable condition at Vanderbilt Hospital. Both have had surgery on their legs.

Police said they are still trying to figure out why the 13-year-old was driving. He and his passenger are also being treated at a hospital for their injuries.

The district attorney will decide what and how many charges he may face.

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