Black metal musicians Nicholas R. Crisostomo, 25, Ian A. McKinney, 30, and Paul. J. Truesdell, 29, killed, and 8 hospitalized after van carrying 12 leaves I-85 and strikes tree near Commerce, GA

The occupants of the van were members of two heavy metal bands that were traveling together and pulling a trailer with the musicians' equipment, Smith told the Atlanta newspaper.

Members of the Wormreich and Kult ov Azazel were on the way from a Sunday show in Spartanburg to play in Atlanta. 

'They're just really great people and my heart's just aching for them and their families right now," said Rifkin. Officers said it is believed the driver fell asleep at the wheel.

Members of the bands Wormreich and Khaotika have been killed in an early morning car crash in Georgia. The black metal(link is external) stars were en route to a show in Atlanta when they were involved in the accident that killed three people.

Another band on Sunday's lineup, Kult ov Azazel, wrote on Facebook that Monday night's Atlanta show would be cancelled. "Our thoughts are with those involved and their families," the post said.

The identity of the fourth person to die has not been released, but Steve Nichols, Jackson County director of Emergency Services, identified those who died earlier as Paul J. Truesdell of Mableton, reported to be a member of the black metal band Wormreich, based in Huntsville, Ala.; Ian McKinney, 30, of Madison, Tenn., and also of Wormreich; and Nicholas Criostomo, 25, of Round Hill, Va., and a member of Atlanta-based Khaotika.