Three people died Friday in a three-vehicle collision on Idaho Highway 75 in Blaine County, south of the Timmerman Junction with U.S. Highway 20.

Emergency responders were called to the scene at 12:40 p.m. Friday, and five people with injuries, including a Jerome High School football coach, were transported to hospitals.

"It's my understanding that the three fatalities were all in one vehicle," said Capt. Ron Taylor with Wood River Fire and Rescue.

The victims' identities were not released Friday. Blaine County coroner Russ Mikel said the victims were one male and two females. The male and one female were adults, with a younger female who appeared to be in her teens or early twenties, Mikel said.

"We're trying to identify them right now," he said, adding that authorities are canvassing neighbors in the area.

The cause of the accident was unclear Friday and is still under investigation, said Curtis Miller, patrol lieutenant with the Blaine County Sheriff's Department.

Miller said the accident involved a car, SUV and flatbed truck.

The highway was closed in both directions for 21/2 hours following the accident.

Vehicles that were involved in the crash had extensive front-end damage, officials said.

Bob Roberts, the defensive backs coach for Jerome High's football team and owner of Gold's Gym in Twin Falls, suffered a broken shoulder and rib injuries in the accident, according to his colleagues.

Gary Krumm, the school's head football coach, said Roberts was sent by air ambulance to St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls.

"Our prayers are with the Roberts," Krumm said.

Roberts was listed in good condition at the hospital on Friday.

Hailey and Ketchum fire departments also responded to the crash scene.