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Woman dies in crash on Merle Haggard Drive near the airport

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The Kern County Coroner's office released the name of a woman who died in a crash on Merle Haggard Drive Sunday.

The California Highway Patrol responded to the crash near the airport, west of Wings Way just after 4:30 p.m. 

CHP said Monica Faith Barnett, 32, was driving eastbound on Merle Haggard Drive at a high rate of speed when she lost control of her 2005 Honda Accord, jumped the center divider, and collided with a 2008 Buick Lacrosse that was headed westbound.  

The front of the Buick hit the rear of the Honda, officers said.  The driver of the Buick, identified as Charles Baker, 85, received minor injuries.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts.  It was unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash, CHP said.

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