Fredericton police believe speed was a significant factor in a weekend crash that left three people dead, including two teens.

Chief Martin Gaudet said officers tried to stop a vehicle that was approaching a patrol car at a “high rate of speed” shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday.

“Our officer activated the emergency lights but the vehicle failed to stop. The officer lost sight of the vehicle in question and disengaged,” Gaudet told reporters on Monday.

Shortly after, the chief said they were dispatched to a crash in the 700-block of Douglas Avenue on the city’s north side involving the same vehicle.

Gaudet said the vehicle is believed to have struck a curb before going airborne, colliding with a tree, and then hitting a parked vehicle.

Three people inside the vehicle were killed, including a 22-year-old man, a 17-year-old boy, and a 14-year-old girl.

A 15-year-old boy was airlifted to the IWK Health Centre in Halifax with critical injuries, said Gaudet. A 14-year-old girl was also treated for injuries.

Police said there were four men inside the parked vehicle that was hit but none of them were seriously hurt.

“It’s a tragedy for the community, it’s a parent’s worst nightmare, and it’s a difficult call for our first responders to attend,” said Gaudet.

Gaudet said the crash remains under investigation. The names of the victims are not being released out of respect for the families.