WATKINSVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Four female University of Georgia students, including two from Alpharetta and one from nearby Milton, have been killed and another student critically injured in a car crash on a two-lane road south of the Athens campus, authorities said.

The crash occurred Wednesday night when two mid-sized sedans, one driving north and the other south, collided about 9 p.m. on Hwy. 15 just outside Watkinsville, Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry told local news outlets.

"For an unknown reason, a vehicle crossed the centerline and struck another vehicle," said Georgia State Patrol Sgt. Scott Andrews.

The five students were in one of the cars, Berry said. The driver of the other car was taken to a hospital, but his or her condition wasn't available.

According to a statement from State Patrol Capt. Mark Perry, they are: 19-year-old Kayla Canedo and 20-year-old Brittany Feldman, both of Alpharetta; 19-year-old Christina Semeria of Milton; and 19-year-old Halle Scott of Dunwoody.

The state patrol said the driver of the car carrying the students, 21-year-old Agnes Kim of Snellville, who is also a student, remained in critical condition Thursday morning at Athens Regional Medical Center.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the heartbreaking and tragic loss of four students and critical injuries to another student in a terrible car accident last night outside of Athens," University of Georgia President Jere Morehead said in a statement early Thursday.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of our students who were victims," Morehead said. "We ask that you keep these students and their family and friends in your thoughts and prayers."

Friends, sorority sisters and family members of the victims were gathered at the Athens hospital overnight, Berry said in a statement around dawn Thursday.

It will be up to the state patrol to investigate the cause of the crash, the sheriff said.