RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Four members of the same family were killed early Wednesday when their car was struck head-on by a car-hauler truck on a federal highway in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais, police said.

The crash occurred on the BR-040 highway near the municipality of Joao Pinheiro in northwestern Minas Gerais, according to the Federal Highway Police.

Police said the truck was traveling on the Brasilia-Joao Pinheiro route when it crossed into the opposite lane and collided with the car. The car caught fire shortly after impact.

The victims, a married couple and their two children, died at the scene. The truck driver was injured and received emergency treatment before being transported to a hospital in Joao Pinheiro.

It was the third fatal crash reported in recent days on the same stretch of the highway.

Police said it is investigating the causes of the recent accidents and urged drivers to exercise caution, observe speed limits and follow safe driving practices, especially on routes with heavy truck traffic. ■