A deadly crash on the Eastex Freeway HOV lanes could snarl some downtown commuters Tuesday afternoon.

A vehicle driving at a high rate of speed slammed into a wall on the HOV lane at Townsen Boulevard in Humble around 2 p.m., according to Metro police.

Two people died as a result of the wreck and another was taken to the hospital, police said.

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The northbound HOV lane will be open from downtown, but drivers will be forced off at McKay Boulevard.

Metro does not know when the remaining HOV lane will be reopened as crash investigators work to clear the wreck.

Two of the Eastex Freeway main lanes are also closed, according to Houston TranStar.

In the meantime, Metro buses will use the Eastex Freeway main lanes.

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Jay R. Jordan is a breaking news reporter at Chron.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan.