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Two Fresno residents were killed in a two-car crash Wednesday afternoon on Highway 152 in west Merced County, about five miles east of the Santa Clara County border, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The names of the victims, an 84-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman, haven't been released by the coroner's office, pending notification of family or next-of-kin.
The crash was reported at 4:19 p.m. after Mikael Mikaelian, 70, of Clovis was driving a 2006 Toyota Camry at about 65 mph eastbound on the highway, near the Lower Cottonwood Recreation Area. Both victims were passengers in Mikaelian's car, according to CHP Officer Jesse Lopez.
Mikaelian failed to negotiate a right turn in the road and traveled directly into oncoming westbound traffic. His car was struck by a 2004 Ford driven by Theodore Haynish, 52, of Hollister.
The front of the Ford struck the passenger side of the Camry. Mikaelian was flown to a Modesto hospital with major injuries. Both passengers in the Camry were killed instantly. Haynish suffered minor injuries and said he'd seek his own aid, Lopez said.
