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3 Killed, 1 Critically Injured In Denver Crash

DENVER (CBS4/AP) -- Authorities say three people were killed and another was critically injured in a single-vehicle crash in southwest Denver.

Police spokesman Sonny Jackson says it appears the SUV involved was traveling at a high rate of speed at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday when the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree. The crash happened at the intersection of Perry Street and Bayoud Avenue.

The driver, a male passenger and a female passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. The fourth victim was taken to a hospital.

"All you could see at the time was the tree and a bunch of smoke," witness Jesse Martinez said. "The tree was in the driver's seat."

SUV INTO TREE MAP.transfer
(credit: CBS)

"The one guy, when I walked up, was holding on to the handle and he was just out of it," witness Aaron Martinez said. "It's not a good thing to see."

The names of the victims have not been released, and police are investigating if alcohol played a role in the crash.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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