CHP identifies married Paso Robles couple killed in head-on crash on Highway 46
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The California Highway Patrol identified the married couple killed in a head-on crash last week as they tried to pass a big rig on Highway 46 near Highway 41.
The crash killed Paso Robles residents Helmut Stich, 83, and Karen Stich, 72, the CHP announced on Thursday.
The Stiches were traveling westbound on Highway 46 East in a 2020 Hyundai about four miles east of the Cholame “Y” just after midnight on July 23, according to the initial CHP news release.
Helmut was driving the Hyundai about 55 mph behind a tractor-trailer, which he then attempted to pass.
When the car entered the eastbound lane in an attempt to pass the big rig, it crashed head-on with Grant McKenzie, who was driving a 2005 Ford F350 in the opposite direction.
McKenzie, who lives in San Diego, was transported to Adventist Health Sierra Vista hospital in San Luis Obispo with major injuries, the CHP said.
The Stiches both died in the crash, the CHP said.
The agency said it does not suspect impairment was a factor in the crash.
