Hawaii island police said speed may have been a factor in a crash that killed three people and critically injured a fourth person Wednesday morning in Kona.

Police said the driver of a 1998 Toyota 4Runner SUV had passed several vehicles while heading north on Queen Kaahumanu Highway and was trying to return to his lane when he lost control and veered back into the oncoming lane of traffic around 6:26 a.m. near the 92-mile marker.

The driver of the SUV then broadsided a 2008 Nissan Titan pickup with at least two people inside.

The driver of the 4Runner, a passenger from the 4Runner and the driver of the pickup — a 37-year-old Waimea man — were all taken to Kona Community Hospital, where they were pronounced dead at about 12:20 p.m. A 32-year-old woman who was riding in the pickup was taken to Kona Community Hospital in critical condition.

Police opened a negligent homicide investigation and ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229.

Anonymous tips can be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo.

There have been 15 traffic fatalities on the Big Island so far this year compared with 10 at this time last year.