Two people killed in Fresno County crash. ‘They hit so hard the engine came out.’

Two people were killed on Thanksgiving eve in Fresno County after a crash involving a big rig during rainy conditions, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Spokesman Victor Taylor said Wednesday night that the driver and a passenger of a sedan died after what appears to be a right-of-way violation at Clarkson and Highland avenues, also known as Highway 43, west of Kingsburg.

It was unclear which vehicle had the right of way, though Clarkson Avenue comes to a stop at both directions on Highway 43.

It has not been confirmed yet which road the sedan was driving on, and which road the big rig was traveling.

“They hit so hard the engine came out,” Taylor said of the collision between the sedan and big rig.

That crash triggered a second collision behind the sedan that involved another big rig. There was no report of injuries from the second crash, Taylor said.

The driver of the sedan, who was a woman, and the passenger were flown to Community Regional Medical Center but died on the way, according to Taylor. Medical personnel provided treatment before they died.

The accident happened just after 6 p.m. As many as five cars and the two big rigs were involved. CHP set up units at Elkhorn and Conejo avenues to divert traffic from the accident scene.

The CHP cautioned drivers to drive slowly and use windshield wipers when driving in the rain.

This story was originally published November 21, 2018 at 8:04 PM.