Two Mesa men were killed and another person was severely injured early Sunday after a speeding pickup truck ran a red light and crashed into a van, police said.
Penisamani T. Kaveinga and Sione M. Afusipa, both 36, were pronounced dead at the scene of the 3:35 a.m. crash at Southern Avenue and Mesa Drive in Mesa, said police Sgt. Ruben Quesada.
The other passenger in the van was flown to a hospital in critical condition. That person was not identified.
The three were heading east on Southern in a 1999 Chevrolet van when a 1989 GMC full-size pickup truck driven by Christopher P. Martinez, 22, of Chandler, crashed into their vehicle, Quesada said.
Martinez was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
When he is released, he will be arrested on suspicion of two counts of manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault, Quesada said.
Police said they believe Martinez may have been drinking alcohol before the crash, Quesada said.
An unidentified man riding in the truck with Martinez was taken to a hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
This is Mesa's fourth fatal crash this year.
