A driver and his passenger were killed after the driver made a U-turn on a northern Minnesota highway shortly before sunrise Tuesday and was struck broadside by a trailing vehicle, authorities said.

The crash occurred about 6:40 a.m. on Hwy. 46 at Itasca County Road 143 near Deer River, the State Patrol said.

Killed in the collision were driver Cory J. Jones, 27, of Cass Lake, Minn., and Jaclyn G. Howard, 21, of Deer River, Minn., according to the patrol. Neither had on seat belts.

The other driver, Derrick L. Cloud, 29, of Cass Lake, was expected to survive his injuries.

Jones was heading south in his car on the two-lane highway, then "pulled onto the shoulder and initiated a U-turn," a statement from the patrol read. Cloud, driving an SUV, hit Jones' car broadside in the northbound lane, the statement continued.

PAUL WALSH