Three people killed, three critical in Cass County head-on crash

Three people were killed and three more are in a critical condition after a head-on crash in Cass County early Saturday morning.

The Minnesota State Patrol has confirmed three fatalities in the crash, which happened just before 1 a.m. Sunday on 24th Street Southwest near 36th Avenue Southwest in Pine River Township.

A F-150 pickup truck was heading west on 24th Street when he collided head-on with a Pontiac G6 headed east.

Three people in the Pontiac were killed, and one is in a life-threatening condition. Those killed have been identified as driver Royal Noe, 39, of Hillman, Heather Caballos, 50, of Brainerd, and Corey Peterson, 36, of Brainerd.

Critical at St. Joseph's Hospital is a 53-year-old woman from Pine River.

The driver of the Ford F-150 – a 32-year-old man from Bayport, Minnesota – and a 30-year-old female passenger also from Bayport, also suffered life-threatening injuries.

The Minnesota State Patrol say the Ford driver may have been drinking prior to the crash, though this is not yet officially confirmed.

The investigation continues.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.