The vice president of a local architecture firm was killed yesterday afternoon in a car accident on Interstate 80 in Luzerne County while returning to State College from New York City, said state police at Hazleton.

Won Kyoun Lee, 53, vice president of John C. Haas Associates Inc., 1301 N. Atherton Street, died after his car struck a large tree on the highway median about one mile east of exit 38 in Sugarloaf Township, Trooper John Schmidt said last night.

Schmidt, who is investigating the accident, said he had not determined why Lee's car swerved off the dry road surface under clear conditions. He added that he will re-interview some witnesses who have conflicting testimonies.

Luzerne County Deputy Coroner Jeffrey Fierro said police labs will run tests on Lee's blood but that no autopsy will be conducted.

Schmidt said Lee's car swerved onto the north edge of the highway at about 2:15 p.m. before it crossed the road and struck the tree on the driver's side. Lee was unconscious after the impact, Schmidt said.

"Some passers-by tried to free him but they were unsuccessful," Schmidt said. "The car was smoking and then it just burst into flames."

Schmidt said Lee had spent Saturday in New York with his brother-in-law, Kon S. Hahn, of Jermyn. The two left yesterday and Hahn headed for Jermyn while Lee drove toward State College, he said.