Charles K. Pope, 53, and Maurice A. Cormier, 52, killed in singe vehicle crash into tree on La. 1148 on May 28.

Two Denham Springs men died late Wednesday in Iberville Parish after the pickup they were traveling in left La. 1148, hit a tree and caught on fire, State Police announced.

The driver, 53-year-old Charles K. Pope, and his 52-year-old passenger, Maurice A. Cormier, both died at the scene.

The initial investigation, which began shortly before 9:15 p.m., determined the men were traveling westbound when for unknown reasons the 2004 Ford left the roadway to the right west of La. 1. After hitting the tree, the pickup reentered the highway and ignited.

The driver was properly restrained, but his passenger was not wearing a seatbelt, Trooper First Class Jared Sandifer said.

A toxicology sample was taken from the driver and submitted to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for analysis.