Daijiworld Media Network – Colorado

Colorado, Nov 25: Five people, including three children, were killed in a horrific three-vehicle collision south of Denver on Monday afternoon, authorities confirmed.

The crash occurred around 4:39 pm near Franktown on Highway 83, close to Russellville Road. Colorado State Patrol (CSP) officials said the accident involved a black Toyota hatchback, a tan Ford sedan and a black Ford pickup.

According to CSP, the Toyota was travelling southbound when the driver lost control, veered off the right shoulder, and then swerved back onto the roadway, rolling into the northbound lane and ejecting the driver. The vehicle then struck an oncoming Ford sedan head-on before continuing south in the wrong lane and colliding with a Ford pickup.

The Toyota driver died at the scene. The Ford sedan carried an adult and five juveniles; the driver and three of the children also died on the spot. The remaining two juveniles were airlifted to a medical facility in critical condition. The pickup driver escaped without injuries.

Authorities said the Douglas County Coroner will release the identities after notifying the families. The cause of the Toyota driver’s loss of control remains unknown, and the state’s Vehicular Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation.

Highway 83 remained closed late Monday evening for cleanup and further examination, and motorists were advised to take alternative routes.