NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three people were killed when their car smashed into a New Jersey elementary school with such force that it landed vertically, resting on its front end against the building, police said on Thursday.

The fatal crash apparently occurred overnight in Pine Beach, New Jersey, where it was discovered by a school employee at 6:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, said Michael Mohel, deputy chief of detectives for the Ocean County, New Jersey Prosecutor's Office.

Mohel said the victims were identified as Matthew Budesa, 20, of Pine Beach, Kimberly Van Gorden, 20, of Beachwood and Matthew Witzgall, 21, of James Street in Toms River.

An investigation was underway but no information was immediately available on what caused the crash or when it happened.

The school opened after a 90-minute delay.

"There was a horrendous accident there this morning," said Tammi Millar, spokeswoman for the school district. "A car ran into the media center," she said.

(Reporting by Barbara Goldberg; Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Greg McCune)