SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal traffic accident which occurred in Northern Washoe County.
Friday at approximately 6:10 p.m., Washoe County Dispatch was advised of an injury accident involving two vehicles on Highway Route 299. Originally, the scene was thought to be in California so dispatch advised the California Highway Patrol. CHP responded and located the accident scene on State Route 8A, approximately 10 miles east of the California/Nevada boundary line in Vya, Nev.
A deputy sheriff from Gerlach was dispatched to the accident scene once CHP advised it was within Washoe County. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene as well.
One driver, a 44-year-old male, was transported by Life Flight to Mercy Hospital in Redding, Calif., where he succumbed to his injuries yesterday at 5 a.m. The other driver, an adult male who suffered non-life threatening injuries, was transported to a hospital in Cedarville, Calif. This driver’s identity is being withheld due to patient privacy.
The investigation disclosed that the deceased driver was driving a 2008 PT Cruiser vehicle eastbound on State Route 8A just after a sharp curve area. The injured person, driving a 2010 Ford F250, observed the PT Cruiser losing control so he pulled over to the right-hand side of his travel lane and stopped. The PT Cruiser impacted on the driver’s side of the Ford F250. The PT Cruiser sustained major damage to the left front and driver’s side door area. The Ford F250 received moderate damage to the driver’s side.
This is an ongoing MAIT investigation. At this time, it’s unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors in this accident. Both vehicles were towed back to Reno, pending a mechanical inspection. If anyone has information regarding this traffic accident, the Sheriff’s Office encourages you to call 328-3350 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.
Once family notifications have been made, the names of the involved persons will be released.
