PHOENIX – Three high school students were killed and six others were injured after the van they were riding in crossed a center line and rolled over on a highway in Arizona, authorities said.

The van, which belonged to Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, had nine occupants, including a driver, seven high school students and an Eastern Arizona student. The other passengers received non-life threatening injuries.

The students were on their way back from a National Hot Rod Association event in Chandler, according to Kris McBride, director of marketing and public relations for Eastern Arizona.

The crash happened at about 10 p.m. on Friday on U.S. Route 70 near the town of Pima, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a press release.

The van was headed eastbound on the highway when it crossed into the westbound lane, left the road and rolled.

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"We're a close knit community, and we have joined together," McBride said. "We're joining in prayer with their families and friends for these students, and our heartfelt condolences go out to them."

The health and welfare of their students, faculty and staff is a priority for the college, McBride said.

"We know this is a very difficult process," McBride said. "This has been a difficult time for our entire campus community."

The crash is still under investigation, and the names of the victims were not immediately released. Impairment is not believed to have been a factor, the press release said.

"We are working closely with the Arizona Department of Public Safety," McBride said. "We're carrying out an internal investigation as well."

The Eastern Arizona Courier in Safford said there was a truck procession in honor of the students Saturday afternoon from Pima High School to Fort Thomas High School.

A candlelight vigil for the victims is scheduled for Sunday in Thatcher, the Eastern Arizona Courier said. Thatcher is about 135 miles east of Phoenix.

Ryan Vlahovich on Twitter: @vlahovichryan