Carson man killed in 395 wreck

A Carson City man was killed Monday morning in a head-on collision on Highway 395 at Koontz Lane.

Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Randy Jackson said Scott Rowan, 52, was northbound between Clearview and Koontz lanes about 9:30 a.m. when Rowan's Kia Spectra crossed the center concrete median and ran head-on into a southbound semi. Rowan was pronounced dead at the scene.

John Warren of Minden said he was northbound in front of the Kia when he heard the truck driver hitting his brakes.

"And I turned and saw it hit the car," said Warren. "It happened so fast, it was in a flash."

Warren said he didn't notice the Kia before hearing the brakes, but when he did look, the Kia was northbound in the southbound lanes going about 45 mph.

"It was keeping up with me ... it looked like it was on cruise control," he said. "The (Kia) driver wasn't making a turn or anything. It was like he was just asleep or unconscious. Just straight over into the other lane."

The driver of the semi was unhurt.

The impact destroyed the Kia, and punctured the gas tank on the tractor, spilling 100 gallons of diesel fuel into the southbound gutters.

Fire crews used absorbent pellets and sand to stop the gas from flowing any further than the block it already had before they arrived.

Initially just southbound traffic was blocked, then both north and south traffic was stopped and motorists were routed onto Curry Street and Silver Sage Drive, causing traffic jams on those streets.

The Nevada Highway Patrol opened the road about 1:30 p.m.

Sgt. Jackson said rumors that the Kia had sideswiped another car prior to jumping the median were not substantiated.

Warren said he worked a stint as a truck driver once and he could imagine how badly the truck driver must have felt.

"That's one of a truck driver's worst fears," Warren said, "hitting a car."

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

Rhonda Costa-Landers contributed to this report.