The Texas Department of Public Safety was investigating a crash that killed three young people on Highway 6 near Clifton around 8 p.m. Thursday night, the Clifton Police Department and two DPS officials confirmed.
A 2004 suburban was traveling northbound on Highway 6, and a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta was traveling southbound when the accident occurred. According to police, the suburban attempted to pass two vehicles which were also traveling northbound, but had entered a no passing zone prior to the crash.
The jetta consequently steered onto the southbound shoulder to avoid the head-on collision, police said.
DPS said the two vehicles were unable to avoid each other and collided head-on.
The driver of the suburban, identified as 32-year-old Christopher Lee Berry, was taken to Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center in serious condition.
All occupants of the jetta -- 20-year-old Diego Heredia, 19-year-old Taylor Bradley, and 17-year-old Griffin Anderson -- died at the scene, DPS said.
Chief Hendricks also offered his thoughts and prayers for the families of the victims.
"As in the past, our community will come together and lean on each other, providing strength and compassion as we honor the lives of these young people who have left this earth to be with our Lord and Savior," he wrote.
Texas DPS continued to investigate the crash as of Friday afternoon.