PONCHATOULA — The Tangipahoa Parish Coroner's Office identified three Southeastern Louisiana University students who were killed in a single-vehicle crash early Monday morning. 

Carmelo Riley, Brian Smith II and Tyrell Yates were driving at a high rate of speed along US 51 around 3:30 a.m., according to authorities. The driver crashed into a concrete support column on the left side of the road, state police said.

Yates is a former Southeastern basketball player. 

"There are simply no words that can adequately express the sorrow we feel for their families, friends, classmates, faculty and all those whose lives they touched," SELU President William S. Wainwright said in a statement. "On behalf of our entire university community, I extend our deepest condolences to their families during this incredibly difficult time. I ask that we come together as a Southeastern Family and keep them, and all those who loved these students, in our thoughts and prayers."

The crash is still under investigation.