Two killed in accident

Two people were killed in a two-vehicle collision Friday around 1:45 p.m. on Highway 17 East near Richard Lake.
The accident occurred when an eastbound van crossed the centerline into the path of a westbound tractor-trailer unit, striking head on. Both vehicles caught fire upon impact.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was transported to Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora via air ambulance for treatment.
The two occupants of the van were pronounced dead at the scene.
Cause of the accident is being investigated with assistance from a technical traffic collision investigator.
The names of the victims are not being released pending proper identification and notification of next of kin.