BUNKER HILL, Ind. - Two Peru residents were killed in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday morning, police said.

Police responded to the crash on U.S. 31 at State Road 218 just before 10 a.m.

The preliminary crash investigation revealed that Russell Ooten, 87, was driving a 1995 Ford Econoline van southbound on U.S. 31., police said.

Police said he attempted to turn eastbound onto State Road 218, but failed to yield at the median crossover.

The van crossed the median and went into the northbound lanes of U.S. 31.

The van was struck by a northbound 2013 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by 26-year-old Jeremy Burton of Greenwood, police said.

After impact, the van continued southeast into the lot of a gas station and came to rest after hitting the protective barrier next to a row of gas pumps.

Earl Ooten, 79, a passenger in the van, was flown by Samaritan Helicopter to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, police said.

He later succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

Police said Margie Highfill, 79, also a passenger in the van, was pronounced dead at the crash scene by Miami County Deputy Coroner Todd Burns.

Russell Ooten, the driver, was transported by ambulance to Dukes Memorial Hospital with a head injury, police said.

He was later transferred to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Police said Burton was transported to Dukes Memorial Hospital with a complaint of back and neck pain.

The crash is still under investigation, but police said neither the use of alcohol or illegal narcotics is suspected as having contributed to the crash.