The Detroit Free Press is reporting that two Oakland University students died in a three-car crash on southbound I-75 this afternoon. Another is in critical condition.

The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s office said it cannot confirm the identities of the students until members of the students’ families identify the victims.

According to Channel 7 WXYZ, students from the Sigma Tau Delta English honor society were en route to the John K. King bookstore. Sigma Tau Delta member Eden Chrostowski did not attend the trip, but said the group had been planning on spending the afternoon at the Detroit bookstore and going to dinner together after.

“We have requested that the university be provided additional information as soon as it becomes available,” said an official statement released by Oakland University Communications and Marketing. “We will certainly make that information available to the campus community via this site and other communication vehicles as soon as we are able.”

Counseling services will be made available to faculty, staff and students.

“Until we understand the full extent of this tragic incident, we ask that the university community keep the injured and family members of those who have lost their lives in their thoughts and prayers,” the OU statement said.

UPDATE: Oct. 23, 2011 10:30 a.m.

Michigan State Police are looking for a vehicle that left the scene of the accident in what is believed to be a hit-and-run that killed two OU students, according to Michigan State Police Sgt. Nathaniel McQueen. Particulars on the vehicle State Police troopers are looking for will be known later today.

A third student is in critical condition at Detroit Receiving Hospital.

UPDATE: Oct. 23, 2011 12:03 p.m.

Shannon Waite, a junior English major, is in critical condition at Detroit Receiving Hospital according to a hospital operator. Waite is webmaster for Sigma Tau Delta and resident assistant in the small halls, according to a bio posted on the organization’s site.

UPDATE: Oct. 23, 2011 3:50 p.m.

OU President Gary Russi released a letter naming the victims involved in the crash. The updated story can be found here.

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The Oakland Post will be updating this story as more information becomes available.