One of the vehicles involved in a head-on collision that killed three, including two children, appears to have been involved in a hit-and-run crash on Six Nations shortly before the fatal one Wednesday night.

Six Nations police confirm they found a licence plate at the hit-and-run scene in Ohsweken believed to match the vehicle driven by a 21-year-old man involved in the fatal crash that killed Grace King, 12, and Waagosh Secord, 14, near Caledonia.

The two scenes are within about four kilometres of each other and the 911 call times just minutes apart.

The girls were among seven children from Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation who were in a southbound van when it collided head-on with a northbound car driven by Wyatt Martin of Six Nations.

Martin, 21, died at the scene.

On Friday, Six Nations police confirmed they were investigating a related crash that appears to have happened shortly before the fatal collision.

Police on Wednesday evening were called to Cayuga Road, south of 5th Line Road in Ohsweken, around 9 p.m. after a vehicle rear-ended another vehicle and then fled the scene, said Six Nations Police. The woman driving the car that was struck was not injured.

While driving to the hit-and-run scene, some Six Nations officers were called off to go to the fatal crash on nearby Hwy. 6, near 5th Line Rd.

Six Nations Police said it was only after later returning to the first crash scene and finding debris — including the licence plate — that they made the connection. The Ontario Provincial Police have been notified.

Three children injured in the horrific crash have been released from hospital, according to a statement from Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.

Two other children remain in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Spokesperson Deanna Dunham asked for privacy for the families affected by the tragedy “as they begin their long healing journey.”

The children, along with others in a second van, were coming home from a youth group outing in Hamilton where they were playing laser tag.

A GoFundMe account to support the families of the two girls had already raised more than $15,000 by Friday afternoon.

OPP Const. Ed Sanchuk said the investigation into “horrific” collision continues. Police have not yet ruled out speed, alcohol or not wearing seatbelts as a factor, he said.

On Thursday, the community gathered to mourn at the community centre on New Credit Road, which is adjacent to Lloyd S. King Elementary, where the girls attended.

“We’ve suffered a tragic event,” New Credit First Nation Chief R. Stacey Laforme said. “We’re so closely knit that all our members are suffering.”