Two Monroe County men were killed in separate crashes over the past weekend. In one crash alcohol may have played a role.

State police at Lehighton said a Monroe County man was killed when the vehicle he was a passenger in left a county road and struck a telephone pole on Saturday night. The accident occurred about 9:20 p.m. along Polk Township Road in Polk Township.Troopers said Hillary James, 19, of Brodheadsville, was operating a 2005 Nissan Altima sedan westbound when she drove off the road along the north side and into a field. The car then struck the pole.Two passengers, Jesse Chmielewski, 21, and Jim Akers, 19, both of Kunkletown, were ejected from the vehicle upon impact with the pole.Chmielewski was pronounced dead at the scene.Akers suffered moderate to serious injuries and was taken to Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg.Reports indicate that the two passengers may have been hanging out their windows. Also, a report indicates Chmielewski may have struck the pole when ejected from the car.James was taken to PMC for a blood test to determine a blood/alcohol content (BAC), troopers said.The investigation into the crash is continuing. Reportedly, charges are pending the blood test results.The second crash occurred about 5:24 a.m. on Sunday along Silver Springs Road, 250 feet south of Little Mauch Chunk Circle in Eldred Township.Troopers said Les Young, 37, of Kunkletown, was southbound when he failed to negotiate a curve in the road. His vehicle left the road and struck a tree at a very high rate of speed.Young was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers noted he was not wearing a seat belt.County coroner Robert M. Allen ruled the death an accident and that Young died of blunt force injuries.