UPDATE 2 (6:18PM): Georgia Southern University has released the names of the five students killed in today's accident:

Emily Clark, Junior, Powder Springs
Morgan Bass, Junior, Leesburg
Abbie Deloach, Junior, Savannah
Catherine (McKay) Pittman, Junior, Alpharetta
Caitlyn Baggett, Junior, Millen

Brittney McDaniel of Reidsville and Megan Richards of Loganville are being treated for their injuries. The university says it will provide an update on their conditions as they become available.

The Savannah Morning News reports all of the students were enrolled in Southern's nursing program and on their way to clinicals at St. Joseph's/Candler Hospital in Savannah. A spokesman says today was to have been their last day at the hospital.

UPDATE:
Georgia Southern University confirms five of its students were killed in this morning's accident. The university posted this statement on its website from President Brooks Keel:

"It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of a tragedy that took place this morning. Five Georgia Southern students died and two were injured in an early morning crash on I-16 eastbound near Savannah.

We are unable to release the names of these students at this time because we are awaiting notification to families.

Every one of our students contributes in no small measure, to the Eagle Nation. The loss of any student, especially in a tragic way, is particularly painful. Losing five students is almost incomprehensible.

Our hearts go out to the families, friends and classmates of these students.

The University flag will fly at half-staff Thursday in their memory. Memorial arrangements are pending.

Let me urge those particularly touched by this tragedy to avail themselves of counseling services, and I urge all members of the University community to support each other during this time."

EARLIER:
Authorities say five people are dead after a tractor-trailer failed to slow down and smashed into stop-and-go traffic on Interstate 16 west of Savannah.

Sgt. 1st Class Chris Nease of the Georgia State Patrol said the deadly collision happened early Wednesday as an unrelated crash about a mile up the highway was forcing traffic to slow down. He says a tractor-trailer slammed into an SUV and a car before colliding with the back of a tanker truck.

Nease says the passenger car burst into flames after it was crushed.

Authorities say seven total vehicles were involved in the chain-reaction crash. Three people were injured. Nease said the driver of the tractor-trailer has not been cited as investigators continue to piece together what happened.

Tags: Georgia Southern University, accident, five georgia southern university students killed in accident on i16, i16 accident