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Two Fresno residents were killed early Saturday after their car crashed into the back of a disabled semi-truck on Highway 152 in Madera County.
The coroner identified them as Samantha Xiongnhiathao, 50, and Gisselle Diaz, 17, both of Fresno.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened just before 2 a.m. July 18 on eastbound Highway 152, east of Road 14 1/2.
CHP said a 32-year-old Fresno man was driving a Freightliner eastbound at about 15 mph while experiencing engine problems in the No. 2 lane.
Xiongnhiathao was driving a black Honda Clarity eastbound with Diaz when, for reasons still under investigation, the Honda struck the rear of the Freightliner.
After the collision, the semi-truck driver pulled over to the shoulder. The Honda became lodged underneath the trailer.
Xiongnhiathao and Diaz were pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by CHP.
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Anthony Galaviz writes about sports for The Fresno Bee. He covers the Las Vegas Raiders, high schools, boxing, MMA and junior colleges. He’s been with The Bee since 1997 and attended Fresno City College before graduating from Fresno State with a major in journalism and a minor in criminology.
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