The Department of Public Safety says the accident happened early Sunday on Highway 62 in Orange County. All three youths from Orange who died were in a southbound car that investigators say crossed the center line, striking an SUV.
DPS says the car's driver, Grey C. Smith, and passenger Darrick Brantley were dead at the scene. Both were 17. Authorities say 16-year-old passenger Jacob Lloyd Bates died later at a hospital.
The driver of the SUV, 30-year-old Clinton Marek Lloyd of Orange, suffered a broken leg.
Investigators are trying to determine whether alcohol played a role in the crash. DPS also say the teens were not wearing seatbelts.
