Two people died on the New York State Thruway early Monday, when a motorist drove in the wrong direction and crashed into an oncoming vehicle, State Police said.

Police said 68-year-old George Gonzalez of Dumont, N.J., was driving north in the Thruway's southbound lanes and struck a vehicle driven by 67-year-old Yehuda Weinstock of Chester between exits 16 and 15-a in Orange County.

According to police, Gonzalez's car caught fire due to the crash. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Troopers from Tarrytown and Newburgh were assisted by the State Police BCI and Collision Reconstruction Unit, the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office, Tuxedo and Sterling Forest fire departments, Kiryas Joel Volunteer EMS and others.