Fresno Car Crash Kills 2 Elderly Women

3/25/2008 Fresno, CA The accident happened on West Avenue near Dakota. Police say the car was heading south on West Avenue when it crashed into a pole. The driver and a passenger died at the scene. But some say it could have been much worse. That's because just feet away from the scene of the crash, there's a daycare center.

The damage to the vehicle shows the force of the collision that killed two people Monday afternoon.

Tony Gardino said he ran across the street after hearing the crash, "We were panicly working hard to help those people. We were doing all we could."

Just moments before the collision, nearly 30 children at the New Life Discovery School were getting ready to head outside.

Margarita Mazanero, a daycare worker, thinks the pole the women crashed into may have saved more lives, "If we have the children outside the car could go through there."

Fresno police say victims were in their 60's to 70's. They're trying to figure out if a medical condition may have played a role after seeing damage to the curb. "It appears the car was skipping or bouncing along the curb-line for about 150 - 200 feet prior to the impact," said Brian Hance with the Fresno Police Department.

Police said it's possible the backseat passenger, the only survivor, tried to take control of the wheel in the moments before the crash.

Those affected by the crash are now thankful that no one else was hurt as their hearts go out to the victims' families.

For now, the cause of the crash remains a mystery. Police say they're hoping the sole survivor will be able to tell them what happened when her condition improves.

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