The teen driver whose best friend and passenger, Allen Larsen, died this week after a crash in Jerome County, said they were chased before losing control of the car.

Idaho State Police are investigating the Saturday rollover in Jerome County that is connected to Larsen's death on Tuesday at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.

Larsen was the passenger in Irwin Adams' 1995 Saturn that rolled along 200 South Road at a high rate of speed after Irwin lost control, according to ISP Corp. Sean Walker.

Larsen was visiting the Magic Valley from Lubbock, Texas, and had previously lived in Twin Falls, where his memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. today at Wesleyan Holiness Church.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash, though unspecified charges are pending as police await a crash reconstruction report that may take up to two weeks, Walker said Wednesday.

Adams, 19, attended high school in Twin Falls with Larsen, but neither graduated, he said. They shared a passion for working on cars, and before the crash they were driving to buy a part to fix Larsen's car so he could return to Texas, Adams said.

"That's why we were headed to Twin," said Adams about the crash. "He was supposed to leave Friday but his car broke down."

Adams said Larsen had been in the area about two weeks before the crash. The crash happened after Adams lost control of his car while being chased for unknown reasons by an ex-girlfriend and at least two other people, he said.

"They were coming at high rates of speed," Adams said.

He said the car drove up to his back bumper.

"They didn't go around, said Adams. "They were trying to make me go faster."

Corp. Walker could not immediately be reached Thursday about the chase Adams describes. On Wednesday, though, Walker said only Adams and Larsen were involved in the crash.

Adams said he is grieving for his friend, though feels lucky to have survived with only a broken knee.

"I first felt like I killed my best friend," said Adams Thursday. "I was up there when they pulled the plug."

Adams said Larsen's family has been supportive and accepting of him in the wake of the crash.

"It helps a lot that his family, they're not blaming me," said Adams.

Indeed, Larsen's dad, Bill Larsen, said that he does not hold Adams responsible for the death of his son.

The people behind the chase are responsible, Bill Larsen said, adding that he does not know exactly who they are.

"Everybody is just trying to hold their head up," said Bill Larsen. "Hopefully, they (police) will get them."

Andrea Jackson may be reached at ajackson@magicvalley.com or 208-735-3380.