Three people died Monday night when their minivan was crushed by a load of hay from an overturned semi tractor trailer at 8:20 p.m. east of Wellington, said the Nevada Highway Patrol in a press release.
The driver of the semi, Jason Fuller, of Yerington, was driving a yellow 2001 Peterbilt tractor trailer westbound on State Route 208 at State Route 338 when for an unknown reason, he crossed into the eastbound travel lane, and over corrected to the right. This caused the semi trailer to roll onto its side.
As the hay from the semi flipped onto the roadway, a minivan traveling eastbound on SR 208 struck the hay and was crushed. All three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
Fuller was not injured in the crash, however. He was transported to the South Lyon Medical Center, where he submitted to a voluntary blood test. Alcohol and/or drugs are not suspected as a contributing factor of this crash, at this time.
The names of the driver and two passengers from the minivan are being withheld, pending notification of their families.
Traffic was rerouted around the accident for seven hours by troopers, Lyon County Sheriff's Department personnel and Nevada Department of Transportation personnel as they investigated the scene.
NHP troopers are investigating the crash. Witnesses to the incident are asked to call NHP at 688-2500 or 687-0400.