Brian M. McGrath and Billings S. Fuess, both 22, were killed in a Columbia, S.C., car accident early Wednesday morning -- both men were recent graduates of Ridgefield High School.

The 5 a.m. accident, which occured on George Rogers Blvd. in Columbia, killed two women in addition to McGrath and Billings: Kelsey C. Harris, 23, and Melinda S. Pipp, 24, both of Columbia, according to the Columbia coroner's office.

McGrath and Harris were students at the University of South Carolina, and Fuess was a former student of the university.

The four were last seen at a local nightspot before leaving in McGrath's car.

McGrath and Fuess were reportedly best friends since high school.

Thursday afternoon, USC president Harris Pastides issued the following statement, "It is with great sadness that I share with you the news that yesterday morning we lost three members of our university family. This afternoon the names of the victims of yesterday’s tragic car accident that occurred off George Rogers Blvd. were released. Among the four deceased were two USC students, Kelsey Harris and Brian McGrath, and one former student, Billings Fuess.

Losing a young life is the most painful experience and yesterday four vibrant spirits were lost. Please keep their surviving family and friends in your thoughts and prayers."