GREENFIELD — At least four people sustained “severe injuries” from a head-on collision that left two vehicles highly damaged near Longview Tower on Route 2 on Sunday, according to Deputy Police Chief William Gordon.

The crash occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. At least seven ambulances responded, including Greenfield Fire Rescue, American Medical Response (AMR), Turners Falls Fire Rescue, South County EMS, Northfield EMS and Colrain Ambulance. An ambulance from Northampton was called in for an intercept along Interstate 91.

One involved vehicle, a black Nissan Armada registered in Rhode Island, sustained heavy front-end damage and was occupied by two adults and two juveniles, all of whom were transported to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, according to Gordon. Two were airlifted to the trauma unit by helicopter, while two were transported via ambulance, according to Fire Chief Robert Strahan.

While Gordon deemed the injuries “severe,” as of Sunday evening, he said he doesn’t expect any fatalities.

“At this point, no one is deceased, so that’s good,” Gordon said at around 4:45 p.m.

The other involved vehicle, a black Toyota Tacoma registered in Vermont, also received heavy front-end damage and was driven by an adult male, the truck’s sole occupant. The driver was transported to Baystate Franklin Medical Center with injuries of unknown severity, according to Gordon.

Both vehicles’ airbags deployed and fluids were leaking on Route 2.

Gordon confirmed that his department will investigate drug use as a contributing factor in the incident after police discovered a suspicious substance inside the Toyota.

The Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section (CARS) arrived at around 4:45 p.m. to investigate how the collision might have happened. Gordon said it would likely take two hours from the time of their arrival for their investigation to conclude, the vehicles to be towed and the road to reopen.

Vehicles heading east and west toward the scene were turned around upon approach as emergency personnel worked. Traffic detoured via Shelburne Road.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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