(BURR OAK TOWNSHIP) – Three people are in critical condition following a four vehicle accident Friday afternoon in Burr Oak Township.

St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite says his department was called to the area of U.S. 12 and Burr Oak Road just after 4 PM to investigate a multiple vehicle crash.

Deputies determined that a 16 year old driver was heading west on U.S. 12 in a pick up, and crossed the center line, striking an SUV, driven by 20 year old Nayeli Delapaz-Arroyo. The pick up continued going west, and struck a van head on, driven by 20 Juan Nino-Ramirez.

The pick up became disabled and stopped in the roadway, and was then struck by a second pick up, which was heading east.

Both the driver of the first pick up and the 17 year old passenger, along with Ramirez were all flown to a Kalamazoo area hospital. All three are listed in critical condition. A passenger in the van was taken to Sturgis Hospital with minor injuries.

Lillywhite says because of their age, the names of the driver and passenger in the first pick up are not being released.

Everyone was wearing their seat belts, and airbags did activate in all of the vehicles.

Assisting at the scene were the Michigan State Police, along with the Burr Oak, Colon and Tri Township Fire Departments, along with West Michigan Air Care, Med Flight and Mercy Flight.