Chandra Petty, 23, was killed yesterday in an accident on Interstate 80 in Fernley, an official said today.
According to Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chuck Allen, Petty was eastbound on the freeway just east of the Exit 48 interchange at approximately 1:20 p.m.
"Based upon the witness statements and the physical evidence of the collision, it appears that Chandra may have attempted to make a U-turn and was turning her green Kia four-door sedan toward the center dirt median," Allen said in a news release. "She apparently did not see the large eastbound three-axle motor home towing an enclosed trailer that was attempting to pass her in the left lane of the freeway."
Allen said the front of the motor home struck the left side of the sedan.
Petty was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after emergency personnel arrived.
Her 8-month-old son, Mathew Paul Petty, was in the rear in a car seat and escaped serious injury. As a precaution he was flown to a Reno hospital and was reported to be not injured.
The driver of the motor home and lone occupant, 41-year-old Jason Baratta of Las Vegas, was also not injured.
The accident is still under investigation and witnesses are encouraged to call Trooper Eric Gallagher at (775) 689-4661.