Crash happened just after midnight on Old Las Vegas Highway

Santa Fe County Sheriff's officials said the crash happened after 28-year-old Scott Owens, who is believed to have been intoxicated, crossed into incoming traffic near mile marker 5. Avree Koffman, 16, who was driving east when the Owens crossed the centerline, tried to swerve but was hit by Owens' Jeep Cherokee, according to a news release by the sheriff's department.

According to the release, four teenage passengers in Koffman's Subaru died in the crash. They are Rose Simmons, 15; Julian Martinez, 16; Alyssa Trouw, 16; and Kate Klein, 16. Koffman was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque with life-threatening injuries, and Owens was taken to Christus St. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe with minor injuries. 

Owens has been arrested and charged with four counts of homicide by vehicle and one count of great bodily harm by vehicle, according to the release. A sample of his blood was taken to determine his blood alcohol content, and more charges may be filed after investigators learn those results. Owens had one prior DWI arrest in June 2001.