BUFFALO, N.Y. — Three people have died following a head-on collision that happened Saturday afternoon in Cattaraugus County, that involved siblings.
New York State Police troopers in Machias were called to the scene at 12:05 p.m. Saturday.
A man was driving a 2006 Dodge Ram west on Freedom Road when it crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 2005 Ford Focus, which was driven by his sister, according to state police.
"The Dodge purposely entered into the oncoming lane and lost control before the collision," state police said.
State police late Sunday night said the driver of the Ford Focus, 24-year-old Dahlia J. Klink of Freedom, died at Erie County Medical Center.
Two passengers in the Ford Focus were declared dead at the scene: 17-year-old Havana S. Lopez of Java and 6-year-old Molly Kibler of Freedom.
A 4-year-old passenger in the Ford Focus sustained serious injuries and was taken by Mercy Flight to a hospital for further treatment.
The person who drove the Dodge Ram was Dahlia Klink's brother, 21-year-old Evan R. Klink of Freedom. He was treated for minor injuries at the scene and was eventually taken to a State Police station in Warsaw for an evaluation.
The passenger in the Dodge, 19-year-old Cameron Klink of Freedom, sustained serious injuries and was taken by Mercy Flight to a hospital.
Police confirm there was also a vehicle following the pickup which was not involved in the crash. A person in that vehicle, who witnessed the crash and provided a statement, is said by police to be the father of 6-year-old Molly Kibler and may be connected to Dahlia Klink and the unidentified 4-year-old girl.
State Police say the passengers in either vehicle in the collision were either all family members or a family friend.
The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Arcade Fire Department assisted at the scene on Saturday.
Investigators will check evidence from the truck and road markings as they try to determine exactly what happened.
Trooper James O'Callaghan says blood drawn at the hospital from Evan Klink was ordered by the Cattaraugus County District Attorney's office to be held as potential evidence for screening. State Police and the DA's office are working together to decide if any charges will actually be filed in this crash.
O'Callaghan added that Evan Klink was operating the Dodge pickup on a learner's permit. And since his brother does not have a license either, police say Evan should not have been driving without a licensed driver accompanying him in the vehicle.
The crash remains under investigation, state police said.
GoFundMe accounts have been set up to help the families pay for funeral costs, as well as medical costs for the survivors.