A two-vehicle crash on Hwy. 55 in Mendota Heights left one person dead and a second injured during the morning rush hour Friday, according to the State Patrol.

Kevin R. Hough, 52, of Farmington, was killed when an eastbound vehicle crossed the centerline at Northland Drive and collided with his westbound vehicle head-on about 5:50 a.m., the patrol said.

The driver of the other vehicle, Gary Ferm, 53, of Bloomington, was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with noncritical injuries. Both men were wearing seat belts.

Authorities shut down the westbound lanes of Hwy. 55 at Lexington Avenue and diverted traffic for several hours.

A State Patrol reconstruction team was sent to the scene to investigate.

Tim Harlow