CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. - Oregon State Police say three people died in a crash on Highway 199 north of Cave Junction.
Lt. Bill Fugate says a California man driving a Buick sedan tried to get around a vehicle where passing was not allowed and collided head-on with a pickup truck.
Three passengers in the Buick, all from Costa Mesa, died either at the scene or on the way to the hospital Thursday night. Police later identified them as Claire Honsaker, 25, Steve Stinson, 28, and Christopher Burke, 27.
The Buick driver, identified as Joshua Bigson, 27, was seriously injured and flown to a Portland hospital. His other passenger, Kean Krause, 21, was taken to a Medford hospital with undisclosed injuries. Both are from Costa Mesa, Calif., police said.
The pickup driver, Michael Nolan, 44, of Cave Junction, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital by family members.
Fugate says alcohol may have been a factor along with the illegal pass, but the investigation isn't over.
The road, also known as the Redwood Highway, was closed for hours before reopening late Thursday.
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