Two people killed in Columbia crash Thursday night

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two people were killed in a crash in northeast Columbia on Thursday night, according to the Columbia Police Department.

The crash happened on Highway 63 near the 63 Connector and I-70 overpass.

According to a press release, the driver, Giovanny Ezequiel Blanco Rodriguez, 21, of Columbia was pronounced dead at the scene. A backseat passenger, Abran Ramirex Morales, 27, of Columbia died at a local hospital.

A third person, who police did not identify, was hurt in the crash and taken to a local hospital.

Investigators said the men were driving north on Highway 63 in a 2006 Mazda Tribute when the vehicle lost control. The SUV then went into the passing lane, into the median, and crossed the southbound lane before it flipped over.

Police said all three people in the car were thrown from the vehicle. None were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

A witness told ABC 17 News they saw the car flip over while another said they could hear the tires screeching from their home nearby.