An off-duty Nevada Highway Patrol trooper was arrested Friday for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after an accident at Jacks Valley Road and Bavarian.
Sgt. Rich Bailey, 38, of Carson City, was taken into custody 4 p.m. after Douglas County deputies responded to the accident.
According to Sgt. Tom Mezzetta of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Bailey said he was heading north on Jacks Valley Road from Genoa when he evaded a red pickup stopped in the eastbound travel lane. Bailey went off the road and laid the motorcycle down.
Deputies arriving at the scene found Bailey's motorcycle on its side and another motorcycle parked down the road. Bailey was taken into custody after deputies smelled the odor of alcohol. Another motorcyclist, Hugo Depaz of Gardnerville, 41, was also taken into custody.
Bailey is an 11-year veteran of the highway patrol.
Bailey's commanding officer, Maj. Tony Almaraz, said Bailey received minor injuries in the accident. Bailey has been placed on administrative duty until both the criminal investigation and whatever administrative issues have been resolved.
"As a state employee, he has the right to due process," Almaraz said.
Almaraz said Bailey is as responsible for his actions as any other motorist.