The crash happened in the area of Highway 41 and O Street at about 2 pm.
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Authorities say the car hit a center median, then veered towards the O Street off-ramp where it hit a tree and caught on fire.
A CHP officer arrived in minutes and managed to pull out an unconscious woman from the driver's seat just as flames erupted.
EMS crews then pulled out a man from the passenger's seat.
He has been identified as 23-year-old Fresno resident Marquise Smith.
Both were taken to Community Regional Medical Center, where the passenger was declared dead.
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The driver remains critically injured in the hospital.
Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash, authorities say.