KANNAPOLIS — In a crash involving six vehicles on the southbound side of I-85 Tuesday night, four people —  two women and two men —have died, including two from China Grove, according to the state Highway Patrol.

Reports say troopers determined that the driver of a 2006 Nissan was traveling north on the southbound side of the highway just after 7 p.m. when he struck a 2021 Hyundai. The crash caused a chain reaction involving four additional vehicles. The crash happened near Dale Earnhardt Boulevard but a detour was initiated at exit 65, Old Beatty Ford Road.

The driver of the Nissan, identified as Jack Lee Hudson, 78, of China Grove, died at the scene, and the right front passenger, Margie Kindley Hudson, 77, also of China Grove, was taken to the hospital but did not survive. Additionally, the passenger in the back seat, Debbie Surgulledge, 41, of Wadesboro, died at the scene.

The driver of the Hyundai, Robert Dion Wilson, 44, of Magnolia, was also taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Several other people in the additional vehicles were injured, but police had no additional information on their condition.

The Kannapolis Fire Department was in charge of the scene and the highway was closed for nearly five hours. The crash remains under investigation.