Virginia State Police are investigating a four-vehicle crash sparked by a vehicle driving in the wrong direction that left three people dead in the southwestern part of the state.

State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller says the crash occurred at 8:52 p.m. Saturday on U.S. Route 220 near Boones Mill in Franklin County.

Geller says a pickup truck traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes struck a car. Two other vehicles also were involved.

The pickup's driver, 52-year-old Donald D. Conner Jr. of Floyd, died at the scene. Also killed were the driver of the car, 60-year-old Randy C. Taylor, and his son, 26-year-old Jarrett C. Taylor, both of Rocky Mount, N.C.