Two people are dead and one person is in hospital following a crash on the 401 in Chatham-Kent.

The highway was shut down in both directions between Communications Road and Kent Bridge Road around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

OPP say a westbound tractor trailer crossed the median and struck an eastbound car.

Two people in the car were pronounced dead at the scene.

The deceased driver of the car has been identified as Marc Lafontaine, 35, from Windsor.

The deceased passenger in the car has been identified as Alyssa Smulders, 13, from Windsor.

The male driver of the tractor trailer, Leszek Urbaniak, 57, from London, has been released from hospital.

Police are trying to determine why the truck suddenly crossed into oncoming traffic.

The investigation is ongoing.