Update - 1 p.m. - According to Howard County Police, U.S. Route 1 re-opened at about noon Thursday, about six hours after a fatal collision. All three men were from Prince George's County, according to Explore Howard.

Original Story

Howard County police believe three men are dead after the car they were in collided with a tractor-trailer in Elkridge Thursday morning.

According to police spokesperson Sherry Llewellyn, a Chevy Impala was headed northbound on US Route 1 near Meadowridge Road at about 6 a.m. Thursday at what a preliminary report suggests was a “high rate of speed." 

At the same time, a tractor-trailer was driving southbound on Route 1, making a left turn, and the Impala drove into it on the 7500 block of Washington Blvd., according to a preliminary report. Police say the truck driver, a 58-year-old man, was not injured but they believe three men, who have not yet been identified, are dead inside of the Impala.

As of 8:30 a.m., Route 1 was closed in both directions near the scene of the collision.