Alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in a horrific crash that killed three young men and left another fighting for his life south of Edmonton, Mounties say.

The triple fatality adds to an already grim toll - at least 10 people have died in alcohol-related crashes on Alberta roads in the past five weeks.

Beaumont RCMP were called around 2:45 a.m. Saturday to a rollover in the south ditch of Highway 625, just west of 60 Street.

A rolled Dodge Ram pickup was found in the ditch. As additional emergency crews were arriving on scene, a second vehicle, a Pontiac Grand Am, believed to be involved in the collision was located just west of the Dodge Ram, Mounties said.

Investigators said both vehicles were eastbound at the time of the collision.

Both male occupants in the Grand Am and one male occupant from the Dodge Ram were pronounced dead at the scene.

Friends have identified the victims as Kole Novak and Bradley Arsenault, both 18 and from Beaumont, and 22-year-old Thaddeus Lake of Leduc.

A 28-year-old male occupant of the Dodge Ram was airlifted to hospital by STARS air ambulance. He remained in critical condition.

A friend of the Beaumont men, who only wanted to be identified as Alex, said two had just graduated from Beaumont Composite High School last year.

"I only found out through friends. Everyone I know is really upset over it," he said. "(They) were good friends."

A few posts on Facebook suggested that friends may hold a candlelight vigil for the men Sunday night.

No charges have been laid in connection with the crash.

The highway was closed due to the investigation, but was reopened several hours later.

- With Files from Matthew Dykstra