BERKELEY COUNTY, SC (WCSC) – Two people are dead after a car wreck on Interstate 26 Thursday night.

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 8:30 p.m. at mile marker 189 on I-26 westbound. Authorities say five people were thrown out of a 1999 Honda Civic after the driver ran off the left side of the road and crashed into a tree, which caused the car to split in half.

The driver of the Honda, 27-year-old Ismael Hill of Summerville, and passenger Kimone Walters, 22, of Ladson, were pronounced dead at the scene by the Berkeley County Coroner's Office. Three other passengers, Randesha Johnson, Robert Boneau, and another unnamed passenger, were taken to MUSC for treatment.

Hospital officials said Rondeau was still in critical condition at 3 p.m. Friday. Johnson was listed as being in fair condition. Information about the third passenger was not available.

None of the victims were wearing a seat belt.

"This collision involved a 1999 Honda traveling westbound when it left the road way and struck a tree," S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Bob Beres said. "The vehicle separated in half and unfortunately two people are deceased."

The highway patrol just recently increased its patrols along this stretch of the interstate to help prevent the number of fatalities.

This is the second fatal accident since August along this stretch of the interstate. Between 2007 and 2009 there were 26 fatalities along this stretch of I-26.

"We know we have Christmas around the corner, we are urging people especially during this holiday season to please take your time, buckle up, slow down and obviously not drink and drive."

The interstate was shutdown briefly so that the medical helicopter could land and transport the victims.