DENVER (KDVR) -- Three people were killed in a crash in Weld County on Wednesday, and the Coroner's office released two of their identities on Friday.
The crash happened around 3 p.m. on Highway 85 in Platteville. Colorado State Patrol and the Weld County Sheriff's Office said that a GMC Yukon was driving northbound on Highway 85 and crossed into oncoming traffic at Highway 60, crashing head-on with a Toyota 4Runner.
The crash caused a gas leak and a fire. CSP said troopers tried to separate the burning vehicles using a push bumper and attempted to put out the fire with fire extinguishers, but all occupants in the vehicles died.
The driver of the Yukon was identified as Kayla Dickinson, 37, of Evans. The passenger's identity has not been released pending next-of-kin notification.
The driver of the 4Runner was identified as Christine Ann Schwarz, 57, of Mead.
A deputy was treated for minor injuries on the scene and a CSP cruiser was damaged in efforts to separate the vehicles.
Teacher killed in crash
The Weld County School District RE-1 told FOX31 on Friday that a La Salle North Valley Middle School seventh-grade science teacher was among those who died in the crash. The school's website lists Christine Schwarz among its staff.
The school’s superintendent told FOX31’s Vicente Arenas in an interview that the district canceled classes on Thursday and Friday after the crash. Several members of the small community told Arenas that the death has hit the community hard.
According to the Colorado Department of Education, there are about 1,700 students in the entire district, which includes six schools spread across three towns on Highway 85.
Possible pursuit led to crash
CSP said in a press release Thursday that deputies with the Weld County Sheriff’s Office were pursuing a suspected stolen GMC Yukon on northbound Highway 85 before the crash.
The sheriff’s office said in a release Thursday that a deputy had pulled the driver over, and when the deputy approached the vehicle, they drove off at a high rate of speed. At some point while the deputy was trying to locate the vehicle, WCSO said the fleeing driver crossed into oncoming traffic and hit the other vehicle.
The Weld County Sheriff's Office told FOX31's Vicente Arenas that they are not sure if the crash was related to a pursuit, but an investigation is underway.
CSP's Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating the crash, and the sheriff's office said it is conducting an internal investigation into the circumstances leading up to the crash.
FOX31 is working to gather more information and will provide updates.
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