A head-on collision shut down part of State Route 96 Thursday morning leaving one dead and one seriously wounded.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, troopers were dispatched to the scene near mile marker 3 on State Route 96 near Junction City Highway in Talbot County at approximately 7:59 a.m., following reports of a major crash.

Investigators say a Chevrolet Trailblazer was traveling westbound when, for unknown reasons, it entered the median while rotating counterclockwise. The SUV then crossed into the eastbound lane and collided head-on with a Kia Sportage.

The impact of the crash was severe. The driver of the Chevrolet was ejected from the vehicle and landed in the roadway. Moments later, the Trailblazer caught on fire. While Georgia State Patrol did not confirm the driver’s condition, sources have confirmed the driver died.

The Kia Sportage came to a stop on the south shoulder of the road. The female driver suffered serious injuries and had to be extricated from the vehicle by first responders. She was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

Both directions of State Route 96 were closed for approximately three hours as troopers investigated the crash and crews cleared the scene.

The identities of those involved have not been released, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.