A man is in life threatening condition after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed it into a tree.

It happened at around 8 p.m. Friday in the McKenzie Lake area.

Police say the 29-year-old driver hit a parked car in a gas station parking lot and then sped off.

That's when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree on McKenzie Lake Boulevard.

The force of the crash was so intense it sent the vehicle's engine soaring about nine metres.

The driver was the only person in the vehicle.

He was taken to hospital with critical head injuries.

Police say speed was a factor.

The traffic unit is investigating.