Two killed in Yerington head-on crash

YERINGTON -Two people were killed Thursday morning in a fiery collision on Highway 95A just north of Yerington.

Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. John Schilling said the accident happened shortly before 8 a.m. when a pickup truck driven by a 35-year-old Silver Springs man collided head-on with a tractor trailer driven by a 25-year-old man from Springfield, Ore.

The names of both victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The impact of the collision caused the vehicles to erupt in a ball of fire, trapping both occupants, Schilling said.

Schilling said the damage to the tractor trailer was so intense, officials have not yet been able to identify to whom the vehicle belongs. It was hauling a box trailer carrying pipe of some sort.

"Somebody crossed the center line, I'm just not ready at this point to say who is at fault," he said. "The accident is still under investigation."

Both north and southbound lanes were closed for some time. Traffic was eventually routed around the scene. The highway was cleared and reopened by 2:30 p.m.

- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.