(KNZA)--Two are dead, and three are hospitalized, following a double vehicle Brown County crash Wednesday that left a stretch of U.S. Highway 73 closed for hours.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identifies the two who were killed as 52-year-old Horton resident Michael James and 80-year-old Upland, Nebraska resident Patricia Boldt.

The fatal afternoon crash happened on the highway, 4 miles south of U.S. Highway 36, around 1:45.

According to the Patrol's report, James was the driver of a northbound Chevy Suburban that went left of center and smashed into a southbound Toyota Sienna just right of center.

Boldt was a passenger in the Toyota, which was driven by 80-year-old Delwyn Boldt, also from Upland, Nebraska.

He required hospitalized treatment at the University of Kansas Hospital, in Kansas City, Kansas.

Traveling with the Boldts were two teenagers from North Carolina.

15-year-old Luke Boldt was transported to Children's Mercy, in Kansas City while 15-year-old Leland Boldt was taken to the Horton Community Hospital.

The Patrol's report says all three suffered disabling injuries.

James, who was traveling alone, is listed by the Patrol as being the only one involved in the fatal wreck who was not buckled up at the time that it happened.

However, the Patrol notes that Luke Boldt's seat belt was being worn improperly.

Editor's note: Below is the original story reported by MSC News shortly after the wreck occurred. 

(KNZA)--A stretch of U.S Highway 73 is closed in Brown County this hour, following a two vehicle crash.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant tells MSC News the roadway is closed to all traffic just south of 190th, the Landfill Road.

Merchant says it's likely the stretch will remain shut down for several hours, and motorists are told to find an alternate route.

The closure follows a two vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon that sent at least two to local hospitals.

Sources close to the investigation say two were killed in the crash, but that has not yet been officially confirmed.

According to Merchant, the Kansas Highway Patrol is in charge of the investigation.

He says numerous agencies have been assisting at the scene, including the fire departments, and EMS, from both Hiawatha and Horton, Kickapoo Tribal emergency responders, and the Brown County Rescue Unit.