Five dead, including three children, in Colorado car crash, police say

Five people, including three children, were killed in a car crash south of Denver, Colorado, according to authorities.

The collision took place at 4:39 p.m. Monday afternoon near Franktown, Colorado, police said. The Colorado State Patrol responded to a three-vehicle crash involving a black Toyota hatchback, a tan Ford sedan and a black Ford pickup truck on Highway 83 at mile marker 40.5, near Russellville Road, according to a statement from the patrol.

“The Toyota was traveling south on Highway 83 when the driver lost control and left the right shoulder. The Toyota returned to the road and turned into the northbound lane, ejecting the driver,” authorities said.

“The Ford sedan was traveling northbound when the Toyota struck it head-on. The Toyota, after striking the Ford sedan, continued traveling south in the northbound lanes and struck a Ford pickup truck, causing minor damage,” CSP added.

The driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The Ford sedan was occupied by an adult driver and five minors. The man who was driving and three of the minors were pronounced dead at the scene. The other two minors were airlifted to a nearby medical center, but the driver of the Ford pickup truck was not injured, according to CSP.

Officials said the Douglas County Coroner will identify all of the deceased after all next of kin have been notified.

Police said it was unknown at this time why the Toyota lost control, but the state Vehicular Crimes Unit is leading the investigation.

Currently, Highway 83 remained closed as of Monday evening due to investigation and cleanup, and drivers in the area are advised to find an alternate route until it reopens.