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By Tim Stelloh and Associated Press

Three teenagers were killed and three others were injured after a driver intentionally used his vehicle to ram their car, sending it into a tree off a Southern California road, authorities said Monday.

Anurag Chandra in a sheriff's booking photo. Riverside County, California, Sheriff's Office

The man, Anurag Chandra, 42, faces multiple counts of murder and assault with a deadly weapon, Riverside County jail records show. He is being held without bail.

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The incident occurred about 10:30 p.m. Sunday in Temescal Valley, southeast of Los Angeles, state and local fire agencies said in a statement.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene, the statement said. The others were taken to a hospital, where two died later.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the teens were wearing seat belts, authorities said. Their names weren't immediately released.

"The investigation has now changed from a hit-run collision to homicide," California Highway Patrol Lt. David Yokley said.

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Yokley said Monday that investigators believe Chandra intentionally struck the teens' Toyota Prius with his car, which caused the driver to lose control and strike a tree. Chandra then fled, he said.

Yokley did not disclose a motive.