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A multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 killed one person Friday.
A Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) spent Saturday looking into the cause of a fatal multiple-vehicle accident that occurring on westbound Interstate 80 at about 12:18 p.m. on Friday during a wind storm that produced gusts of 59 mph in Fallon.
Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chuck Allen said he still doesn't have much information, but the incident involved four semi-trailer trucks, four pick-ups and an SUV. He said NHP suspects the accident started with two or more vehicles and was followed by several more individual accidents possibly involving some vehicles more than once.
“They're all technically considered separate accidents, so it's kind of a complicated event,” Allen said.
He said there were four critically injured people and two seriously injured and one fatality involving a female riding in the passenger side of a semi-truck.
“When you have a fatality involving a semi-truck, you know it's going to be a pretty violent crash scene,” Allen said.
Allen said the NHP suspects the strong, gusty winds caused the accident.
Wind also caused a variety of other problems. Allen said a power line snapped and fell across U.S. Highway 95 north of Fallon between Rice Road and Wade Lane, which caused traffic to back up and delayed rescue services from Fallon, Lovelock and Pershing County. That line was cleared by Friday evening.
“That's our No. 1 concern, to get the public safety resources to the scene and assess it as quickly as possible,” Allen said.
Allen said this also delayed extricating equipment to cut three individuals out of their vehicles, including the driver of the semi-truck whose female passenger died.
Firemen from the Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department responded to the accident.
“I felt badly for the one man because he was in there with his dead female passenger,” Allen said. “Being hurt, being stuck and looking over at a dead female passenger.”
Wind also prevented Care Flight from flying, so all six had to be transported by ground ambulances to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.
Weather conditions also made work difficult for rescue workers who wore safety goggles and face masks.
“The guys that were on scene were filthy. My eyes are still trashed this morning,” Allen said. “You're trying to do your job and talk to people — I couldn't hear my cell phone ring.”
Allen said driving can be difficult during a wind storm when sudden gusts can pick up debris and create zero visibility.
He said the best thing drivers can do is turn on the hazard lights and be cautious and aware of their surroundings. Allen said driving too fast or too slow can lead to a front or rear-end collision and pulling over can make a driver a target.
“It becomes a dangerous situation no matter what, and I don't know if there is an answer,” Allen said. “That's why paying attention is so big.”
The National Weather Service in Reno reports the next storm system entering Churchill County should only create partly cloudy weather Sunday and sunny conditions with temperatures in the 50s and 60s next week and for the upcoming holiday.
Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chuck Allen said he still doesn't have much information, but the incident involved four semi-trailer trucks, four pick-ups and an SUV. He said NHP suspects the accident started with two or more vehicles and was followed by several more individual accidents possibly involving some vehicles more than once.
“They're all technically considered separate accidents, so it's kind of a complicated event,” Allen said.
He said there were four critically injured people and two seriously injured and one fatality involving a female riding in the passenger side of a semi-truck.
“When you have a fatality involving a semi-truck, you know it's going to be a pretty violent crash scene,” Allen said.
Allen said the NHP suspects the strong, gusty winds caused the accident.
Wind also caused a variety of other problems. Allen said a power line snapped and fell across U.S. Highway 95 north of Fallon between Rice Road and Wade Lane, which caused traffic to back up and delayed rescue services from Fallon, Lovelock and Pershing County. That line was cleared by Friday evening.
“That's our No. 1 concern, to get the public safety resources to the scene and assess it as quickly as possible,” Allen said.
Allen said this also delayed extricating equipment to cut three individuals out of their vehicles, including the driver of the semi-truck whose female passenger died.
Firemen from the Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department responded to the accident.
“I felt badly for the one man because he was in there with his dead female passenger,” Allen said. “Being hurt, being stuck and looking over at a dead female passenger.”
Wind also prevented Care Flight from flying, so all six had to be transported by ground ambulances to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.
Weather conditions also made work difficult for rescue workers who wore safety goggles and face masks.
“The guys that were on scene were filthy. My eyes are still trashed this morning,” Allen said. “You're trying to do your job and talk to people — I couldn't hear my cell phone ring.”
Allen said driving can be difficult during a wind storm when sudden gusts can pick up debris and create zero visibility.
He said the best thing drivers can do is turn on the hazard lights and be cautious and aware of their surroundings. Allen said driving too fast or too slow can lead to a front or rear-end collision and pulling over can make a driver a target.
“It becomes a dangerous situation no matter what, and I don't know if there is an answer,” Allen said. “That's why paying attention is so big.”
The National Weather Service in Reno reports the next storm system entering Churchill County should only create partly cloudy weather Sunday and sunny conditions with temperatures in the 50s and 60s next week and for the upcoming holiday.
