The fatalities were identified as Domo (48), the minivan driver, and Harsono (46), a passenger, Pati traffic police chief Adjunct Commissioner Sudaryoto said here on Saturday.

The police added that Domo and Harsono hailed from Kayuringin, Bekasi, West Java and Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, respectively.

According to a witness, Sutoyo, the accident happened at about 11.30am on Pati-Rembang road when the minivan, which was traveling at a high rate of speed, slammed into a truck coming from the opposite direction.

The witness said the truck driver tried to avoid the collision by turning the truck to the right, causing it to drive into a river.

Prior to the truck entering the river, the minivan stuck the rear of the truck, heavily damaging the minivan, the witness said.