CARVER CO., MN — A three-vehicle fatal accident took the lives of two people and injured several others today on Highway 212 in Carver County.

Two of three drivers are dead, Sandra Babatz, 45, of Norwood and Juan Olvera, 35, of Sullivan, Texas, following a chain reaction involving a left turn off the highway.

The accident took place as follows:  Driver Gordon Curtiss, 52, of Hutchinson was going eastbound on Highway 212 in a 2007 Kenworth semi truck.  A second driver, Babatz, was also going eastbound, driving a 2003 Pontiac Vibe.  Babatz stopped in the eastbound lane to make a left handed turn off the highway, onto County Road 51 going north.

Curtiss rear-ended Babatz, pushing her into the westbound lane, where she was struck broadside by driver Olvera driving a 1999 Chevrolet K15 pickup.  Olvera was killed, but also had numerous passengers in his vehicle.  The following are in critical condition in the hospital from the Olvera vehicle: Nancy Castillo, 29, of Bird Island, Andira Olvera, 8, of Bird Island, Narley Olvera, 9, of Bird Island, and Galylea, 7, of Bird Island.