WESTMINSTER, Vt. (AP) – A Putney man was drag racing when he lost control of his car over the weekend and was killed along with two others in a head-on collision, police said.

Tyler Gilbert, 23, was chasing another car when he crossed the center line and struck a car driven by Laura Sears Davis, 35, of Dummerston, according to police.

Davis and her husband, Brian Davis, 46, were killed as a result, police said. A 3-year-old girl and 5-year-old girl, whom police described as the Davises’ nieces, were also in the car.

The younger girl suffered a broken arm and a concussion, and was listed in stable condition at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, police said. The older girl was admitted to the Springfield hospital after the accident and released the next day.

Vermont State Police said they suspect alcohol contributed to the crash. Senior Trooper Jonathan Graham is continuing the investigation and awaiting autopsy results.

State police said speed, careless and negligent driving were definite factors in the crash. “We do know with absolute certainty that there was a drag race going on,” Vermont State Police Lt. Jocelyn R. Stohl said.

Police said they had identified the driver of the vehicle Gilbert was chasing. That driver’s name will be released at a later date, police said.

The accident happened Saturday at about 6:23 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. 5 and Vermont Route 123.

Gilbert, who was not wearing a seat belt, was driving north when he went left of the center line and struck the Davis car nearly head-on, police said. His Saab came to rest in the northbound lane, facing south. Its engine fell away and was found separately on the road.

The Davis car crashed through a fence on the west side of Route 5.

Laura Davis was wearing a seat belt, but died on the scene. It was unclear whether Brian Davis was wearing a seat belt. He died upon arrival at the Springfield hospital, police said.