Witnesses rescued them from her burning van in Gainesville on Friday.

A Gainesville woman accused of intentionally driving into on-coming traffic to try to hit a truck in a suicide attempt was arrested Friday night on three counts of attempted murder.

Melissa Gail Mack, 48, of 1826 SW 69th Terrace, Apt. B, told a friend earlier in the day that she was going to get in a crash that would kill her and her two sons, ages 4 and 6, the Gainesville Police Department said in an arrest report.

Mack’s van caught fire in the crash, which trapped her and the boys inside. Others were able to extinguish the fire and get the three out of the van.

The crash happened about 5:14 p.m. at 5400 NW 13th St. Police said Mack was northbound when she drove into the southbound lanes to try to crash into a tanker truck carrying 330 gallons of gasoline. The driver of the truck swerved to avoid a collision.

Mack made a U-turn and rammed into the back of the truck, police said. Her van’s engine caught fire.

A longtime friend of Mack told police that they talked a few hours earlier, with Mack telling her she was going to kill herself and her sons. The friend told police Mack said "it was 'God's will' and she was 'afraid' but nothing could be done to change the outcome," according to the arrest report.

The friend told police she tried to call Mack later but got no response and then heard about the crash from another friend.

Mack's children were taken to UF Health Shands Children's Hospital for examination. They were released and turned over to the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families, police said.

Mack had bruising from her seat belt and was examined at Shands. She told police she remembered certain details of the incident but claimed memory loss. The police report states Mack acknowledged a conversation with her friend but would not elaborate.

The three counts of attempted murder are for Mack’s son and the truck driver.