Three men, mill workers from the same family, were killed instantly on Highway 101 near Humptulips when their 2000 Nissan SUV collided with a southbound logging truck on Wednesday morning.

A Washington State Patrol report said the log truck, driven by a 19-year-old Forks man, was southbound near mile post 111 when it crossed the center line. A witness at the scene said the loaded trailer collided with the northbound SUV, shearing off the top of the smaller vehicle and sending logs hundreds of feet down the highway. The log truck slid on its side and off the highway.

Volunteer first responders and State Patrol troopers arriving at the accident sight quickly determined that no one in the SUV survived.

Dead at the scene were Eduardo T. Barrios Saquiche, 51, of Aberdeen, Luis A. Barrios Saquiche, 30, of Aberdeen, and 40-year-old Elmer A. Mejia Barrios of Hoquiam.

The wreck occurred shortly before 7:20 a.m. Highway 101 was closed for nearly 12 hours in both directions, as patrol officers investigated the cause of the accident and heavy equipment was brought in to clear the roadway.

Witnesses described the accident scene as “horrific and unbelievable.”

The cause of the accident is under investigation by the State Patrol.