A nasty car accident Saturday night in Schuylkill Co. sent three people to hospital including a local football standout, police say.

The accident happened around 11:45 p.m. at the intersection of Route 309 and Taggertsville Rd. when two cars collided head on as one drifted into the other lane to make a turn too soon, police say.

Phillip "Mike" Ryan, 23, of Tamaqua, was speeding, police say, as he traveled north on Rt. 309 and began to cross the center line as the car approached Traggertsville Rd. to turn, police say.

Ryan's car crashed into the other car driven by Gary Boettger, 28, of Tamaqua, forcing both cars into a nearby guard rail.

Crews at the scene said the drivers were trapped in each of their cars, as well as a passenger, Brad Petrutsch, 23, of Mahony City, who was riding in Ryan's car, officials say.

Both Boettger and Ryan were flown from the scene to trauma centers. Petrutsch was taken by ambulance to St. Luke's hospital, police report.

There is no word on the victim's current condition. Charges against Ryan are pending, according to police.

Ryan graduated from Marian Catholic High School in 2007 where he was a star offensive lineman and went on to play at the Division I level at the University of Connecticut.