BRAD HORN/Nevada Appeal Family members comfort each other early Friday morning at the accident scene where two men were killed in a rollover accident on Highway 50 in east Carson City.
Three people were killed in two separate accidents in Carson City late Thursday night and early Friday morning.
A head-on collision near the Lyon County line on Highway 50 in east Carson City on Friday claimed the lives of Michael Cantamessa, 29, of Mound House, and Richard Jones, 36, of Carson City.
According to Trooper Nick Nordyke, Cantamessa was westbound in a white Ford pickup about 5:50 a.m. when he lost control of his vehicle and traveled across the westbound and center turn lanes into the path of Jones, who was driving east in a Chrysler two-door convertible. Nordyke said the right side of the Ford struck the front of the Chrysler and overturned, ejecting Cantamessa. The truck came to rest in the center lane on its top. The Chrysler came to rest on the eastbound paved shoulder. Both vehicles were destroyed.
Cantamessa and Jones were pronounced dead at the scene. Nordyke said it didn't appear either man was wearing a seat belt.
Jones was on his way to work at American Ready-Mix in Mound House. It's unclear where Cantamessa was headed, Nordyke said.
The accident closed both eastbound lanes and one westbound lane, backing up traffic for more than two hours. Eastbound traffic was routed around the scene on a dirt shoulder.
Late Thursday night, a single-vehicle rollover on Goni Road claimed the life of David G. Chase of Carson City.
Trooper Chuck Allen said Chase was northbound on Goni Road in a 1997 Mercedes four-door sedan about 11:30 p.m. when he lost control in "slight right-hand curve," and his vehicle drifted off the left roadway edge and struck a cement culvert. Chase was ejected.
Allen said the accident happened not far from Chase's home. It appears he also was not wearing a seat belt.
"The Department of Public Safety would like to re-emphasize how important seat belts are. They often can reduce injuries as well as keep you restrained in your seat, especially in a rollover accident," Allen said.
He said most rollover accidents that result in fatalities are because the victim was ejected from the vehicle.
"Take two extra seconds to buckle up before driving and be sure your passengers are properly restrained. It may save a life," Allen said.
-- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.