Cherokee County officers responded to a fatal accident Saturday morning on Highway 79.

Cherokee County Precinct 3 Constable Eddie Lee tells KETK that four people have died as a result of a crash on Highway 79 near County Road 1409.

It happened around 7:45 Saturday morning.

The highway was closed for almost nine hours as officials cleaned the area of debris and oil.

Police say a Chevy Impala crashed into a semi truck and a Chevrolet Blazer.

Officers say the Impala veered into oncoming traffic, killing all four of its passengers.

KETK spoke with Highway Patrol Officer Steven Crosby who explained, "A Chevrolet Impala was traveling south on 79, the truck tractor semi was traveling north on 79 and then there was a small Chevrolet Blazer that was traveling north. It appeared that the Impala driver fell asleep. They veered over into the northbound lane. They sideswiped the Chevrolet Blazer then the truck tractor attempted to avoid colliding with them but he still hit them pretty much head on."

Officer Steven Crosby tells KETK the passengers in the Impala had been in Shreveport the night before and were on their way home. While Officer Crosby says they did find alcohol in the car, they believe that the cause of the accident was fatigue.

The passengers in the Chevy Blazer and the semi were unharmed.

Those killed in the crash were males in their early 20s identified as Saul Mancera, Jaime Benitez, Michael Estrada, and Christian Chavez.