A fourth fatality has been added as a result of a two-car accident on Highway 395 south of Gardnerville that closed the highway for nearly an hour Saturday afternoon.
The accident occurred just before 3 p.m. a quarter-mile south of Leviathan Mine Road. New information contradicts earlier reports from the scene because of a miscommunication between a witness and Nevada Highway Patrol troopers.
According to NHP Trooper Scott Simon, a green 2002 Suzuki SUV being driven by Dawn Miley, 43, of Gardnerville, was traveling southbound when it veered off the roadway and struck a road marker. The Suzuki corrected and crossed into the northbound lane striking a 1998 Dodge truck head-on causing the truck to flip.
The truck overturned and came to rest in the shoulder of the northbound lanes. The driver of the truck, a man in his 30s, two females and another male, ages unknown, were pronounced dead at the scene, Simon said.
Originally investigators thought there were three occupants in the truck, but were not able to get a good look at the interior of the vehicle, where a fourth victim was later found.
Miley was taken by Care Flight to Renown Regional Medical Center with head injuries. She is listed in serious but stable condition.
"The Suzuki was the at-fault vehicle, but we are still investigating if alcohol, drugs or a medical condition are factors in the crash," Simon said.
The accident closed the highway for approximately 50 minutes, backing up traffic for miles in both directions.
The names of the four victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.