A mother and her two children were killed in a head-on collision in Hollywood Wednesday morning that occurred in the 800 block of N. Highland Ave.

Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Bruce Borihahn said the collision occurred around 7:25 a.m. just north of Willoughby Avenue. A sole male driver in a grey Infinity was driving northbound on Highland Avenue just north of Willoughby Avenue when he reportedly veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a Dodge minivan. Borihan said the minivan then careened out of control and struck a utility pole next to the road. Firefighters and police arrived and attempted to render aid, but an 8-year-old girl in the minivan was pronounced dead at the scene. The mother, who was reportedly 25 years old, and her 4-year-old daughter, were taken by paramedics to a local hospital, where they later died. The 40-year-old driver of the Infinity remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Borihahn said the cause of the collision is under investigation by the LAPD’s West Traffic Division, and detectives will be examining whether factors such as intoxication or cell phone use were a factor. Borihahn did not know whether any of the individuals involved were wearing seatbelts. The identities of the deceased were not released.

“It’s a terrible tragedy,” Borihahn added. “