Arjun Atwal, the first Indian player to win on the European Tour, finds himself at the centre of police investigations following the death of a man in what police say appears to be a high-speed street race.

The incident happened near Orlando on Saturday, with 48-year-old John Noah Park being fatally injured when his Mercedes slammed into a tree.

Atwal is now a member of the US Tour and the circuit's website quotes Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kim Miller as saying that the 33-year-old "at a minimum is facing a charge of engaging in a street race."

Robert Kreusler, president and chief executive officer of Atwal's management company Blue Giraffe Sports, has issued a statement.

"Arjun, his wife Sona and the remainder of his family extend their deepest condolences to the family of Mr John N. Park," it read.

"Even though Arjun and his family did not know Mr Park, they cannot fathom the unimaginable pain that his family must be going through. Their constant thoughts and prayers are with the Park family at this time.

"Arjun would very much like to address the media about the circumstances of this accident, but obviously cannot do so at this time because of the investigation being conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol.

"We ask that members of the press and the public do not rush to make a judgment about what occurred here, because once all of the facts have been gathered and the investigation completed, it will be abundantly clear that this was simply a horrible accident and tragedy, with no-one at fault."

Swedish player Daniel Chopra, who grew up in India and has been a friend of Atwal since then, commented: "I think it's even more important that the media be a little careful in jumping to conclusions and not make him out to be a villain. We'll have to find out what happens.

"Obviously, it was horrible it happened. I hope people won't think he's somebody who caused the accident. He's a good driver. It was shocking."

Police spokeswoman Miller said troopers will use skid marks and other evidence to reconstruct the crash before filing any charges. The investigation could take up to two months.

"Witnesses tell us they were engaged in a street race," she stated. "They estimated speeds at or about 100 mph.

"Park's vehicle hit a tree and basically just shattered. Part of the axle was found in the tree. It was a very violent crash."

She added that Atwal's BMW spun and came to rest on a bend, but there was no collision between the two cars and he was uninjured.

"What they were doing, whether or not one was mad - we don't know yet. They were both old enough to know better. Everyone does it. This just shows how much of a problem we've got."

Atwal won the 2002 Singapore Masters before earning a US Tour card and two years ago was in a play-off for the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta won by Phil Mickelson.