CORNELIUS, N.C. -- The two men who died in a police chase in Cornelius early Sunday have been identified as 24-year-old Andrew Krolikowski and 24-year-old Jason Monroe.

Authorities say they were speeding on West Catawba Avenue and refused to stop. They nearly clipped a patrol car and later slammed into a tree near Jetton and Meta roads.

The car was on fire and the two men were identified after it was extinguished.

Krolikowski was from Huntersville and Monroe was from Charlotte.