BUTLER COUNTY- Three people died in an accident just after 1:30 p.m. on Friday near the Butler County-Greenwood County line. The accident closed the highway for several hours while crews investigated the crash.

The Kansas High Patrol reported a 2014 Ford Focus driven by Charla J. Straws, 45, Wichita, was eastbound on U.S. 54 twenty miles east of El Dorado.

The vehicle swerved to the westbound lane and struck an eastbound 2013 Toyota pickup driven by Robert L. Schindler, 70, Madison.

Another vehicle was struck by debris from the collision.

Straws and two passengers in the Focus Caesare M. Smith, 35, and Sonja Roubideaux,48, both of Wichita were pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Carlson Funeral Home

Schindler and a fourth passenger in the Focus Romine Jacob Otto Berndt, 21, Wichita, were transported to Wichita hospitals for treatment.

The KHP reported Roubideaux was not wearing a seat belt.