Troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol-Major Accident Investigation Team are still piecing together the seven-vehicle crash that happened on Highway 395 near Jacks Valley Road in Douglas County Monday that sent several to the hospital and shut down southbound traffic on HIghway 395 for four hours.
The following news release was sent by Trooper Chuck Allen this afternoon.
The accident happened shortly after 1 p.m when a yellow 2001 Freightliner tractor pulling an empty 53-foot trailer, driven by Martin L. Preciado, 38, of Barstow, Calif., failed to stop the commercial motor vehicle safely behind other southbound vehicles that were stopped for the red traffic signal light at Jacks Valley Road.
Mr. Preciado applied the brakes and slammed into the rear of a green 1992 Honda Civic 2-door that was in the left of the two southbound lanes, driven by 50-year-old Miguel E. Nunez of Reno. Nunez was airlifted from the scene by Care Flight to Renown Regional Medical Center for injuries labeled as critical. His current medical condition was not available this morning.
The big rig also slammed into the rear of a green 1995 Ford Explorer, driven by 55-year-old Carlin M. Kempton of Gardnerville that was in the right lane adjacent to the Honda Civic. Riding in the SUV with Ms. Kempton were her mother and son; 81-year-old Billie M. Hawks of Gardnerville, and 26-year-old Jonathan H. Kempton. Ms. Kempton was airlifted to Carson Tahoe Hospital while her mother was flown to Renown Regional Medical Center. Jonathon was driven by another family member from the scene to Carson Tahoe Hospital. Ms. Kempton and her son have both been released from the hospital and her mother has been upgraded to fair condition this morning at Renown.
The only other injury reported in the seven-vehicle collision involving a total of eleven motorists was a claimed injury by Judith D. Marek, 71, of Carson City. She was the right front passenger riding in the silver 2001 Buick 4-door sedan driven by her husband, Claude E. Marek. She and her husband were able to drive away from the scene.
The other involved vehicles included a gold colored 2008 BMW X5 driven by Laurel Champlin, 53 of Carson City, a white 2008 International dump truck driven by Terry L. Edis, 56 of Gardnerville, a 2004 black Chevrolet van driven by 30-year-old Ryan McElfish, and his passenger, David P. Candia, 33, both from Carson City.
The collision resulted in both southbound lanes to be closed for over 4 hours. When the investigation is completed, our agency will forward the entire accident report and any and all recommended charges to the Douglas County District Attorney’s office for review.
Witnesses to the collision are encouraged to contact Trooper Mike Stapledon @ (775) 689-4623 or Trooper Jennifer Stewart at the NHP Carson City substation at (775) 684-7280 or the DPS-Communications Center in Carson City @ (775) 687-0400 regarding case # NHP-1105160845.