Dirk Ruthardt, 27, died in the 8 p.m. wreck on Pony Lake Road, Hall County Deputy Coroner John Abernathy said.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, Ruthhardt was a passenger in a 2000 Buick LeSabre driven by his brother, 42-year-old Gerald Douglas Ruthardt Jr.

The car was driving west on Pony Lake Road near its intersection with Double Tree Circle when the driver lost control, went off the south shoulder of the road and struck a tree, the state patrol said.

Both men were wearing seat belts. Dirk Ruthardt was declared dead at the scene.

Gerald Ruthardt was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center, where he was treated in the intensive care unit Wednesday, hospital officials said.

The state patrol did not list any contributing factors in an accident report.