Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi confirmed that the accident occurred around 05:00 hours along Chalimbana Road in the Silverest area off Great East Road.
He said the accident involved a Honda Fit, registration BLD 5008, which was carrying four passengers and travelling from north to south when the driver failed to negotiate a curve due to excessive speed. The vehicle then veered off the road and hit a tree, causing severe damage to the front section.
The driver, Patrick Musonda, aged 22 and a UNILUS student from Silverest, was rushed to Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital where he is receiving treatment for multiple injuries.
One passenger, Edify Chikumbi, believed to be aged between 22 and 26, was pronounced dead on arrival at Chongwe District Hospital.
Another passenger, Maseka Chilapala, aged between 20 and 25, was pronounced dead on arrival at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited in mortuaries at Chongwe District Hospital and Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, pending postmortem examinations.
The other two passengers, Akufuna Mwituna, 21, and John Msenge, were admitted to Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital with serious injuries.
Police say investigations into the accident have been opened and are ongoing.
