BEAVERTON — A St. Paul resident and member of the law enforcement community sustained life-threatening injuries Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle collision that took the lives of two teenagers.

Washington County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Trotter is in critical but stable condition in a Portland hospital after his marked patrol vehicle was struck by a Nissan Altima driven by a student at Southridge High School near the intersection of Southwest Tualatin Valley Highway and Murray Boulevard at about 12:30 a.m.

"Deputy Trotter sustained life-threatening injuries and has a long road to recovery," Sheriff Pat Garrett said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

Two Southridge students in the Altima — identified by Beaverton police as 17-year-old Matthew Amaya and 16-year-old Juan Pacheco Aguilera — died in the crash. Three other Southridge students riding in the vehicle are in critical condition and were transported to area hospitals as well.

A preliminary investigation indicated the students were traveling southbound on Murray Boulevard and ran a red light at the highway before striking Trotter's SUV in the driver's door, according to Beaverton police. Neither the WCSO or Beaverton police commented on whether drugs, alcohol or excessive speed played a part in the crash.

Garrett said the WCSO's crash analysis reconstruction team (CART) responded to the scene soon after the crash, as did a senior deputy district attorney assigned to CART that "is an integral part of the investigation."

Trotter is a seven-year veteran of the sheriff's office; he started as a reserve officer in 2013 and became a full-time patrol deputy in 2015, Garrett said. Future updates on the deputy's condition from his office will be in concert with Trotter's family, he said.

"Last night is a stark reminder of how dangerous police work can be," Garrett said. "It's not only the bravery of my team that amazes me, it is also the unwavering support for each other as they raise their hand ever day to accept a certain amount of risk, to serve our community in an incredibly important way."