Three people are dead after a violent collision Wednesday afternoon in the small town of Lac-Drolet east of Montreal.

Lac Drolet is located about four hours east of Montreal.Lac Drolet is located about four hours east of Montreal. (Radio-Canada) Police say a 33-year-old driver crossed the centre line on a back road and hit a vehicle carrying a 33-year-old woman and a man.

The first driver was ejected by the force of the impact and police believe he was not wearing a seatbelt.

Police say speed was a likely factor.

All three victims lived in the area, just north of the Maine border.