Authorities have released the names of a Rainsville couple killed in a horrific crash on Interstate 459 in Jefferson County that also injured two others.

Alabama State Troopers identified the victims as Jefferson S. Jones, 63, and Susan S. Jones, 58. They were husband and wife.

The wreck happened around 8:02 p.m. Tuesday on I-459 South near U.S. 280. The Rocky Ridge Fire Department said the wreck required multiple extrications along with the fatalities.

Senior Trooper Justin O’Neal said Jeff Jones was driving a Jeep Cherokee that collided head on with a Mazda CX-5 driven by Kellie R. Stephenson, 39, of Irondale.

After the initial impact, O’Neal said, the Cherokee crashed into the Freightliner commercial truck – a street sweeper – that driven by 55-year-old Lolita R. Matthews of Leeds.

The husband and wife were pronounced dead on the scene about 30 to 45 minutes later.

Stephenson and Matthews were taken to area hospitals. The severity of their injuries was not immediately released.

The southbound lanes were closed for much of the night.