Two US Marines among three dead in motorcycle accident in California

Three people, including two U.S. Marines, were killed after a multi-vehicle crash near Camp Pendleton, California, on Thursday, June 27, ABC 7, Los Angeles Times, and CBS 8 report.

The sailors were identified as 37-year-old Stephen Jermaine Williams, who was stationed in San Diego, and 28-year-old Jess Lee Davis, who was assigned to the USS Alexandria (SSN 757), also in San Diego.

“The Navy family mourns the loss of two shipmates in Thursday’s traffic accident,” Navy spokesman Brian O’Rourke said in a statement to PEOPLE. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the seafarers’ families, friends and colleagues and we ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

The third victim had not been identified at the time of publication.

The deadly pileup occurred on Interstate 5 after a Jeep crashed into a guardrail around 3 a.m. local time. A passing car then struck the Jeep and the vehicle overturned, the California Highway Patrol reported, according to CBS 8.

A group of four motorcyclists riding close behind them crashed into the Jeep and the other vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, before catching fire, CHP reported, according to ABC 7.

The agency added that the people riding in the Jeep suffered life-threatening injuries, CBS 8 reported. The driver and a second person in the other car are being treated for minor to moderate injuries.

I-5 was closed from Las Pulgas Road (Exit 62) to 76/Coast Highway (Exit 54). Motorists were advised to stay away from the area while the CHP investigated the incident.

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ABC 7 reports that the lanes reopened later Thursday morning.

PEOPLE has contacted CHP for comment.