TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- A fiery head-on crash on Interstate 275 in Tampa, Fla., Sunday killed four University of South Florida students and a wrong-way driver, police said.
The four Sigma Beta Rho fraternity brothers who were in a Hyundai Sonata were identified as the driver, Jobin Joy Kuriakose, 21, of Orlando, and passengers Ankeet Harshad Patel, 22, and Dammie Yesudhas, 21, of Melbourne; and Imtiyaz Ilias, 20, of Fort Myers.
The driver of the Ford Expedition that was headed in the wrong direction had not been released, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
The interstate was closed for nearly 5 hours following the 2 a.m. EST collision, the newspaper said.
The Florida Highway Patrol said investigators were trying to learn whether where the SUV driver entered the interstate and whether alcohol or drugs were a factor, the newspaper said.
"Mere words cannot convey the depth of shock and sadness this terrible event brings to all who knew and cherished these wonderful young men," USF President Judy Genshaft said in a statement. "Our hearts are heavy at the loss of such bright, energetic and optimistic young people who had promising futures ahead of them; to have their lives cut tragically short betrays our sense of fairness and security."
