BREMO BLUFF -- Five men were killed when their car crashed into a Fluvanna County creek.

State police Sgt. Dave Cooper says the accident occurred about 12:30 a.m. yesterday on state Route 656 about a half-mile from state Route 657.

Cooper says speed and alcohol were factors in the crash and the victims weren't wearing seat belts.

The victims are identified as 36-year-old Joseph Scruggs of Huntersville, N.C.; 47-year-old Carlton Washington of Bremo Bluff; 49-year-old Joseph Ross of Bremo Bluff; 27-year-old Jason Ross of Bremo Bluff and 25-year-old Larry Jones of Palmyra. All of the victims were related.

State police say Scruggs was the driver of the rented 2008 Mazda that went off Route 656, became airborne, struck a creek embankment and landed on its top in the water. One of the victims was found on the embankment, one was found in the creek and the other three were trapped in the car.

The wreckage was discovered shortly after 6 a.m. yesterday.

-- The Associated Press