SACRAMENTO — The vintage 1963 Ford Fairlane was stolen 23 years ago from Terry and Robin Smith’s home in Greenville, S.C.

It was just recovered in California.

‘‘What a wonderful gift at Christmastime ... After 23 years to receive news that they’d found our car.’’ Robin Smith said.

California Highway Patrol officers called the Smiths on Friday to tell them authorities had recovered the vehicle.

A few weeks ago, a person brought the car into the CHP’s San Bernardino office for inspection. A sharp-eyed officer noticed the car’s identification numbers didn’t match and began investigating.

CHP’s Lt. Greg Williams said authorities don’t believe the people who brought the car in had anything to do with the theft.

Smith said the car was a wedding gift from her parents, but the couple have not decided whether to bring it home or sell it in California.

Two men killed

in car-train crash

NORTH — Two men are dead after their car was struck by a train just off U.S. Highway 178, officials say.

A CSX cargo train traveling south collided with the 1992 four-door Ford Taurus Friday night and pushed the car about a quarter of a mile before it could stop.

South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Dwight Green said the driver of the Ford Taurus was from Gaston and his passenger was from Lexington.

‘‘The investigation is still pending,’’ Green said, ‘‘and the conductor did say that the train was traveling at full speed.’’

Train operators said the two men, who have not been identified, never looked toward the train as they were hit at the crossing where there is a stop sign and railroad crossing signs.

Police identify

accident victims

ANDERSON — A woman and a teenager who died in a Christmas Eve wreck have been identified.

Sixteen-year-old Pamela Nicole Davis was on her way home for a family celebration when she was killed Friday afternoon, relatives said. Davis was driving near Anderson when she crossed the center line and collided with a car driven by 33-year-old Jennifer Susan Bennett, of Odenville, Ala.

Bennett, who was in town visiting family, was driving her 13-year-old daughter and three cousins, Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore said. Three of the children suffered minor injuries but an 11-year-old boy had more serious injuries. A family member said he was still in the hospital Saturday in critical condition.

Both women were pronounced dead at the scene, Shore said.

Those involved in the crash were wearing their seat belts, authorities said.

(Associated Press)