Woman flown to Washoe Med after Spooner rollover

A Reno woman was flown to Washoe Medical Center complaining of shoulder pain after her SUV rolled over on Highway 50 West below Spooner Summit Sunday, according to Carson City Fire Department Engine Chief John Bergstrom.

Margaret Pehrson, 81, was extracted from the vehicle as a precaution after its roof was removed. Her injuries were described as "pretty major" by Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Todd Hartline.

Vernon Meiser, also from Reno, was in the car at the time of the single-vehicle accident. He was not seriously injured nor transported for treatment.

"He's in good condition," said Bergstrom.

The green Mitsubishi Montero rolled over just above the 6,000 foot level on dry pavement in the east bound lanes at about 12:40 p.m. Sunday. All east bound traffic was blocked until about 1:20 p.m. The accident occurred about 200 yards above a vista point overlooking the Carson Valley. The driver's side air bag deployed.

Back boards were used during the rescue. "During any kind of rollover, we're careful of spine injuries," said Bergstrom.

Pehrson was transported in a Tahoe-Douglas Fire District ambulance down the hill to a pullout near the 5,800 foot level, where a CalSTAR ambulance helicopter picked her up for transport to Reno.

CalSTAR is newly licensed to operate in Nevada, according to Bergstrom.

Agencies responding to the scene included the Carson City and and Tahoe Douglas fire departments, Nevada Highway Patrol and the Douglas County Sheriff's Department.