Three people were injured Tuesday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash that shut down a section of N.C. Highway 73 in West End.

The collision happened around 3:15 p.m. near Gateway Drive and involved a Cadillac XT5 and a Dodge Journey. According to North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the driver of the Dodge was traveling east on Highway 73 when they crossed the centerline and struck the westbound Cadillac in a near head-on impact. Troopers said the point of impact was at the driver-side headlights of both vehicles.

The driver of the Dodge was pinned inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by firefighters. Once freed, the driver was transported to the hospital by ambulance. Emergency officials had requested a medical helicopter, but no aircraft were available at the time.

Two people inside the Cadillac were also seriously hurt and transported by EMS to a nearby hospital. Officials have not released the current conditions of the victims.

Highway 73 was shut down between Gateway Drive and Knox Lane for a little over an hour while emergency crews worked the scene and cleared the roadway. The crash remains under investigation.