A three-vehicle accident in northern Cullman County Monday has claimed the life of a Cullman County woman and another from Morgan County, according to coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick.

Carol Janine Pope, 56, of Vinemont and Sarah Elizabeth Onks, 26, of Hartselle were killed in the accident early Monday, said Kilpatrick. The wreck occurred at approximately 7:35 a.m. on U.S. Hwy. 31 near Cullman County 1282, approximately three miles north of Vinemont.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Pope was fatally injured when the 2019 Chevy Malibu she was driving traveled into the opposite lanes of travel, struck a 2006 Mazda 6I and then collided head-on with a 2017 Hyundai Tucson driven by Onks. Pope and Onks were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Mazda was not injured.

Road blockage from the accident closed a portion of the highway while emergency personnel attended at the scene. The road reopened at about 11:30 a.m.

Alabama State Troopers are investigating the accident. Cullman County sheriff’s deputies provided traffic support at the scene.