Authorities say one of two SUVs spotted by a Princeton police officer after the attempted theft of a third vehicle was later involved in a head-on crash that claimed two lives and critically injured a third person.

Police say the two stolen SUVs were spotted after a homeowner reported the attempted theft of a third vehicle Sunday afternoon.

Both fled but one later slammed into an oncoming vehicle, killing that driver.

Police say the 15-year-old Newark youth driving the stolen SUV also died and his 14-year-old passenger was critically injured.