A mother and daughter from Fresno were killed early Saturday after their car crashed into the rear of a tractor-trailer on Highway 152 in Madera County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported just before 2 a.m. Saturday on eastbound State Route 152 at Road 14½.

A preliminary investigation found that a 32-year-old Fresno man was driving a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer eastbound in the No. 2 lane at about 10 to 15 mph with his hazard lights activated because of engine trouble.

A 50-year-old Fresno woman was driving a Honda Clarity eastbound in the same lane with a 17-year-old girl in the front passenger seat.

For reasons still under investigation, the Honda collided with the rear of the Freightliner’s trailer. The impact caused the Honda to become wedged beneath the trailer.

CHP said the truck driver pulled onto the right shoulder, unaware the Honda was trapped beneath the trailer.

The woman and the teenage passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver was not injured.

All three people were wearing seat belts, according to CHP.

Investigators said it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash pending toxicology results.

The crash remains under investigation.

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