GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Three children died Monday in a crash that closed a major Clay County bridge for several hours.

The fatal crash took place at about 12:30 p.m. on State Road 16 on the Clay County side of the St. Johns River.

A sport utility vehicle was heading west into Clay County off the Shands Bridge on state Route 16 at 12:30 p.m., Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Bill Leeper said. As the vehicle approached a slight curve, two minivans and a pickup truck came from the opposite direction on the two-lane road.

"For some reason that vehicle somehow crossed the centerline and hit the three vehicles traveling eastbound. Three kids died at the scene," said FHP Lt. Bill Leeper.

According to authorities, one child in the westbound SUV and two children in the first eastbound SUV were killed. The FHP later identified the children as 8-year-old Victoria Brandt, 5-year-old Michael Buttafuoco and 3-year-old Ann Marie Buttafuoco.

A FHP report stated the 8-year-old girl was not wearing a seat belt, and the Buttafuoco children were wearing their seat belts.

The wreck also left five people injured. Two of the injured were rushed to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center via air ambulance, and the three others were taken by ambulance.

Later in the afternoon, crews began moving the vehicles involved in the crash. They said all of the vehicles would have to be inspected to determined specifics about the fatal crash.

Officials said there were six people involved in the crash who were not injured.

"It's very sad when anyone is killed, particularly when you have young kids. These children appear to be 4 or 5-years-old, two of them. The other one was a little bit older than that, but it's very sad when they're involved because they're helpless, innocent victims," Leeper said.

Leeper said FHP was still investigating the crash and charges could follow.

The Shands Bridge reopened around 4 p.m.