ALTUS - Three people were killed and three others seriously injured in a church van accident late Sunday night on U.S. Highway 62 two miles west of Headrick.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol identified the fatalities in the crash of a First Baptist Church of Altus van as Maria Silva, 57, of Edinburg, Texas, Macio Nicocasa, 58, of Altus, and Herazo Francisca Ayala, 75, also of Altus. All were pronounced dead at Jackson County Memorial Hospital by the medical examiner.

The members were part of First Baptist's Hispanic Baptist Church ministry and had been to Oklahoma City Sunday to attend a Hispanic Mission Rally. There were two vans of people on trip returning from the rally. Three of the passengers in the accident were seriously hurt, including the driver of the van, Guadalupe Garcia Moreno, 49, of Altus. He was transported to JCMH with internal injuries in serious condition.

The pastor of the First Baptist Church Hispanic ministry, Carlos Mereno, 51, was pinned in the vehicle for about 45 minutes before being freed by the Altus Fire Department. He was taken to Jackson County Memorial Hospital, then was Medi-Flighted to the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City with internal and leg injuries.

The third person injured was Guadalupe Hernandez, 67, of Altus, who was also pinned in the wreck for approximately 45 minutes before being freed by the Altus Fire Department. He was taken by ambulance to JCMH with internal, leg and arm injuries.

According to reports, the 1997 Dodge was westbound on U.S. 62 and ran off the right side of roadway at approximately 11:10 p.m. and struck a culvert. The van then overturned one and three quarter times, ejecting three passengers, before coming to rest on the passenger side, pinning two of the passengers.

Seat belts were equipped but were only in use by the driver. Reports indicated that the driver may have fallen asleep.

"We're still in shock over this," said First Baptist Church pastor Jeff Moore. "I don't know what else to say at this time."

Trooper Steve Pothorst was the lead investigator. He was assisted by Lieutenant George Dickerson and Trooper Donald Byren, along with the Altus Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, Jackson County Sheriff's Department, Friendship Fire Department and Tillman, Kiowa and Greer County EMS units.