Durham, N.C. — Two men were killed in a hit-and-run on U.S. Highway 70 in southeastern Durham early Saturday, state troopers said.

Troopers said that around 1:15 a.m., a Chevrolet Trailblazer and a Ford Taurus station wagon were engaged in a speed competition along a stretch of U.S. 70 where it is merged with Miami Boulevard, east of Pleasant Drive.

The Taurus slowed down and was struck from behind by the Trailblazer, troopers said. The impact caused the Taurus to run off the right side of the road and crash into a tree.

The driver of the Taurus, Timothy Parrish Jr., 24, was ejected, and his passenger, Bryant Keith Mitchell, 37, of Durham, was pinned in. Both men died at the scene.

Troopers said the green, older-model Trailblazer was last seen heading east on U.S. 70. It might have front-end damage.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run should call the state Highway Patrol at 1-800-662-7956.