VICTIMS OF 138 CRASH FROM A.V.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

PEARBLOSSOM - California Highway Patrol officials have identified Catherine Williams, 34, of Palmdale and Delion Jamerson, 23, of Lancaster as the motorists killed Friday night in a Highway 138 collision.

CHP officials said Williams lost control of her 1988 Chevrolet Blazer, which slammed head-on into a 1996 Chevrolet pickup before becoming airborne and landing on top of Jamerson's 1999 Ford Taurus.

``She tried to pass in a place she wasn't supposed to,'' said CHP Officer Scott Weldy. ``She crossed the double-yellow over the rumble strips and when she tried to pull back into the lane, she lost control.''

The crash occurred about 10:15 p.m. Friday near the intersection of 165th Street East, where the road passes over twin bridges across the Big Rock Wash. Local residents said the area has frequent crashes.

Friday night's crash occurred as Williams, traveling eastbound, tried to pass a slower-moving big-rig truck, officials said.

Seeing oncoming traffic headed toward Williams, the truck driver slammed on his brakes to allow Williams to re-enter the eastbound lanes, officials said.

But as she pulled back into the eastbound lanes in front of the truck, she lost control and her vehicle fishtailed back into the westbound lanes, officials said.

Williams' sport utility vehicle collided head-on with the Chevrolet truck driven by Charles Barnaby, 22, of Las Vegas.

The Blazer then became airborne, landing on the roof of Jamerson's Ford and trapping him in the car.

The steering wheel, part of the dashboard and both front doors of the Blazer were thrown across the roadway, about 100 feet from where the vehicle came to rest.

Williams suffered major head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Jamerson was freed from the Taurus and taken to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Barnaby suffered minor cuts and bruises and his unidentified 19-year- old female passenger was uninjured, officials said.