Ledyard ― A 74-year-old Norwich woman was killed Tuesday following a three-car crash that sent three other people to the hospital, according to the Ledyard Police.

Police identified the deceased as Anna Mercado.

Police said they responded to a 911 call around 4 p.m. reporting an accident at the intersection of Route 12 and Oakridge Drive. Firefighters at the crash scene reported to police that one of the passengers sustained life-threatening injuries and CPR was in progress.

Police said their preliminary investigation revealed that Victor Mercado, 77, of Norwich, was driving south on Route 12, crossed into the northbound lane, and sideswiped a second vehicle before hitting the third vehicle head-on in the northbound/breakdown lane.

Victor Mercado and his front passenger were injured and taken by American Ambulance to William W. Backus Hospital. Police said Mercado is in stable condition and the passenger was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Anna Mercado, the rear passenger, was pronounced dead at Backus Hospital due to injuries from the crash.

Police said the driver of the vehicle that was struck head-on, Joseph Lehmann of Missouri, was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, while the driver of the vehicle that was sideswiped wasn’t injured.

The Southeastern Connecticut Regional Traffic Unit – consisting of officers from Ledyard, Stonington, Groton Town and Groton City – responded to help investigate the accident.

The section of Route 12 were the crash occurred was shut down in both directions for several hours.

Also responding to the crash were Gales Ferry Fire Company, Ledyard Fire Company, Submarine Base Fire Department Ambulance, Groton Ambulance, and L+M paramedics.

Police said the crash remains under investigation, and ask witnesses to call the Ledyard Police Department at (860) 464-6400 and speak with Officer Matthew Andrade.

e.moser@theday.com