Jefferson City, MO : Two teens killed in car's collision with truck on U.S. 54 in southern Callaway County on Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Two Mid-Missouri teens were killed Tuesday when their westbound car crossed the median on U.S. 54 in southern Callaway County and collided with an eastbound tractor-trailer.

The Highway Patrol identified the victims as Caleb H. McClain, 16, Jefferson City — who was driving the 2006 Toyota Corolla — and Karlie D. Jones, 15, Holts Summit.

The truck driver, Francis D. Evers, 52, Jefferson City, was treated and released Tuesday afternoon from Capital Region Medical Center.

The patrol said the accident happened at noon, on the "Mel Ray" curve just north of the South Summit Drive interchange between Jefferson City and Holts Summit.

Traffic was re-routed to Summit Drive while the highway was closed.

The accident closed both lanes of eastbound 54 for about three hours, with one lane staying closed for another 90 minutes.

Both lanes were re-opened to traffic about 4:30 p.m., but traffic remained congested through the evening rush period.

The Holts Summit Fire Protection District was called to the accident, along with Jefferson City's fire department, Callaway Ambulance, the Callaway County sheriff's department, MoDOT and the patrol.

The fire district reported that the first units on the scene identified natural gas coming from the truck, and were able to activate the trailer's emergency shut off.

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Two teens killed in car's collision with truck