JOELTON, Tenn. (WKRN) — Two men are dead following a three-vehicle crash that occurred Thursday morning along Whites Creek Pike, officials said.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the crash happened just before 8 a.m. on Whites Creek Pike near Sycamore Creek Road.

Authorities reported a preliminary investigation indicates that a 70-year-old man was traveling southbound in a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway at Sycamore Creek Road.

The 70-year-old’s vehicle reportedly crossed over into the northbound lanes of Whites Creek Pike and collided with a GMC Sierra pickup truck.

Officials said the driver of a dump truck, who was traveling southbound on Whites Creek Pike, braked after seeing the collision, but was unable to avoid hitting the Malibu.

One of the occupants inside the Malibu —identified as 20-year-old Jonathan Palafox-Pacheco, of Springfield—died at the scene. Police said the other occupant—identified as 22-year-old Andy Hernandez, also of Springfield— was taken to Skyline Medical Center where he died.

Meanwhile, the 70-year-old driver was taken to Skyline Medical Center to be treated for life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Police added the driver of GMC pickup truck and his front seat passenger were transported to Skyline Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the dump truck was not injured.

South Haven Christian School in Springfield released a statement Friday morning to share the news about the deaths of two of their graduates.

It is with a heavy heart that I come to you, our South Haven Christian School family, to share the tragic news of the deaths of two of our graduates, Andy Hernandez (Class of 2020) and his brother Jonathan Palafox (Class of 2023). The brothers lost their lives in a traffic accident on Highway 431 yesterday morning.