A state police accident reconstruction team began its investigation this week into a single car accident that claimed the life of a West Tisbury woman Sunday. Brianna Combra, 24, was taken by ambulance to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, and then flown by MedFlight to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, according to police. She died Sunday evening from injuries sustained in the crash. The accident happened shortly after 5 a.m. on State Road, near the West Tisbury town line. She was traveling north, toward Vineyard Haven, in a 2000 Jeep Cherokee. Her vehicle left the roadway, and struck a tree.

“She’s an employee of the Steamship Authority,” said Tisbury police Lieut. Eerik Meisner. “It’s my understanding she was on her way to work.” Lieutenant Meisner said though the investigation is still in a preliminary phase, there are indications that excessive speed many have contributed to the accident.

The state police collision analysis and reconstruction section (CARS) went to the scene Monday.

“For reasons still unknown, the Jeep veered over the center line, crossed through the southbound lane, went off the western edge of the road just prior to Codding Lane, travelled about 30 feet, and hit a large tree,” said state police spokesman David Procopio. “The investigation indicates that Ms. Combra was not wearing a seat belt. The airbag did deploy. The cause of the crash, including possible contributing factors, remains the subject of the investigation by CARS, the state police Oak Bluffs barracks, and Tisbury police. The CARS trooper is in the process of analyzing physical evidence at the scene, including debris from the vehicle and any potential marks left on the roadway.”

A graveside service for Ms. Combra is scheduled for noon on Saturday, May 2, at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs, followed by a gathering of friends and family at the Portuguese-American Club.

In an email to the Gazette Thursday Steamship Authority general manager Wayne Lamson expressed his condolences on behalf of the boat line. “Brianna was a very friendly and well-liked employee who worked at both our Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs terminals,” Mr. Lamson wrote. “She started working for the authority in 2010. I know her mother and grandfather who had also worked at the Steamship Authority. It is very sad. She was a great kid and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.”