AURORA, Ore. – A Molalla firefighter and a Salem woman were killed after crashing head-on in Aurora early Monday evening, police said.

Molalla Fire Dept./kgw.com photo

Molalla firefighter Don Shirrell as shown in a photo from his co-workers.

Veronica Flores, 28, of Salem, was driving a Honda accord when she crossed into oncoming traffic on Ehlen Road and crashed into a NW Natural Gas van around 4:30 p.m., police said.

Flores died at the scene. The other driver, Donald Shirrell, 43, was flown in a LifeFlight helicopter to Oregon Health and Science University where he died as a result of his injuries, according to Lt. Sheila Lorance, with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

In addition to driving the NW Natural Van, Shirrell was a firefighter with the Molalla Fire Department and all flags were lowered to half-staff Tuesday in his honor. His fellow firefighters also shrouded their badges and said they would remain that way until his funeral.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time," said fire department spokeswoman Denise Everhart.

Shirrell started his career with the Molalla Fire Department in 1999 and was named Rookie of the Year for 1999.

Lorance said the crash and the cause of the collision was still under investigation.