Two adults, one Farmington Junior High student died in a head-on collision in Farmington

FARMINGTON — A head-on collision around 7:15 a.m. Thursday between an Acura and a Chevrolet SUV on Broyles Street left three people dead and one more injured, according to a Farmington Police Department news release.

Stephen Kaufmann, 40, of Fayetteville, who was driving a white Acura, and his passenger, identified only as a student at Farmington Junior High School, were killed in the crash, according to Lt. Justin Collins with Farmington police. A third victim, a woman and the driver of the SUV, was taken to a local hospital and died at the hospital, Collins said.

The crash remains under investigation, but preliminary reports indicate the collision occurred near the intersection of Broyles and Wilson streets.

The white Acura was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed and crossed the center line into the northbound lane and collided head-on with a white Chevrolet SUV, the news release said.

A passenger in the SUV was taken by Central EMS to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Farmington Fire Chief Bill Hellard said firefighters had to extricate both victims from the Acura and the driver from the SUV.

The accident happened in a section of Broyles Street with a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour, not far from Williams Elementary School.

Out of respect for the families, Collins said the department is not releasing the names of the other two victims and the injured passenger at this time. The department is “committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this collision,” the news release said.

A third vehicle was also traveling southbound on Broyles and was sideswiped as it was passed by the Acura. The third car sustained only minor damage.

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends affected by this tragic event,” the statement said.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Police Department at 479-267-3411.