INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Two people died and a third was seriously injured in a wreck early Wednesday morning in Independence.

Michael R. Butler, 20, of Independence, and Rachelle L. Craig, 24, of Independence, died when the car Butler was driving went off a road, smashed into a tree and burst into flames.

Dyke A. Hoskam, a 20-year-old passenger from Buckner, Mo., was hospitalized Wednesday in serious condition.

Butler and Craig were not wearing seat belts, according to police.

The wreck remained under investigation Wednesday, but police said they believed alcohol and speed played parts in the wreck.

Friends agreed, telling a tale of a night spent drinking at a party before the three started driving down East Bundschu Road at about 4 a.m. and wrecked near North Powell Road.

They were fewer than two miles away from Butler's home when the wreck happened.

Friends drove to the wreck site Wednesday.

"That's one of the reasons I think people showed up, because reality hit," said Tiffany Stone. "We all have friends who drink and drive. This just lets you know you may not make it back."