Driver and passenger are killed in wreck on U.S. 71 in KC

Two persons were killed early Wednesday when an SUV crashed into a retaining wall on U.S. 71 and Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard, police said.

The wreck was reported about 1:30 a.m., shortly after a 31-year-old driver of a southbound Acura SUV lost control and veered off the right shoulder of the road and struck a retaining wall. The SUV then crashed down on the exit ramp below.

A 29-year-old female passenger died at the scene. The driver was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

A second passenger, identified as a 32-year-old Kansas City woman, was taken to a nearby hospital and was last listed in serious condition.

The ramp on U.S. 71 was closed for three hours while investigators gathered evidence.

The names of the victims are being withheld until relatives have been notified.

This story was originally published October 26, 2016 at 9:01 AM with the headline "Driver and passenger are killed in wreck on U.S. 71 in KC."