PACIFICA — Two people were killed in a fiery Christmas morning crash on when a motorist going the wrong way smashed into an Uber driver, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver of a car who was headed south in the highway’s northbound lanes was burned beyond recognition when their Toyota Corolla flipped over and burst into flames, said CHP Officer Vu Williams. The passenger in the Uber car, Jason Gilbride, 25, of Pacifica also died.

The Uber driver was taken to San Francisco General Hospital after complaining of pain. He was conscious and gave a statement to investigators, Williams said.

“The Uber driver was going the right way,” Williams said.

Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The person in the Uber car was in the back seat and investigators believe the passenger was not wearing a seat belt, Williams said.

The accident occurred at about 2:40 a.m. near the Paloma Avenue overpass. The highway was closed in both directions until shortly after 7 a.m.

The dead driver believed to be at fault had to have turned directly into the southbound lane, Williams said. The four-lane highway is divided by a concrete barrier.

“You just can’t cross over,” Williams said.

That person was burned so badly the gender has not yet been determined, Williams said.

“We are still trying to determine the identity of that person,” Williams said.

Investigators do not yet know if alcohol or drugs played a part in the accident.

Staff writer Katrina Cameron contributed to this report.

Follow Thomas Peele in Twitter.com/thomas_peele. Email him at tpeele@bayareanewsgroup.com