Fallon girl killed while riding her bike

A 12-year-old Fallon girl riding a bicycle was killed Thursday night after she was hit by a motorist at North Taylor and B streets.

The Nevada Highway Patrol, which took the lead investigation because of the accident's severity, has identified the girl as Brittany Cardella, a seventh grade student at Churchill County Junior High School.

Fallon Police Dept., initially responded to the 6 p.m. accident and then yielded to the NHP. Sgt. Tom Ames of the Fallon office said the NHP has more expertise in dealing with accidents such as these.

"We assist them (local law enforcement) on severe injuries/fatalities and high profile accidents," Ames said.

Ames said NHP Troopers receive extensive instruction on traffic accident reconstruction from the Northwestern University Traffic Institute.

The NHP said 67-year-old May Lou Cornella of Walker Lake was driving a red 1994 Dodge pickup pulling a small trailer. She was traveling west on B Street, turning left on Taylor Street.

Cardella was riding her bicycle on Taylor Street and was crossing B Street when Cornella's vehicle struck her. Cardella was transported to Banner Churchill Community Hospital where she died from her injuries.

Ames said Cardella died from multiple injuries, but he did not know the specifics.

Paramedics worked feverishly on the girl, who was laying in the middle of the intersection. At the time of the accident, the Churchill County Sheriff's Department dispatch stated the girl had suffered massive head trauma, and paramedics were seen performing chest compressions on the girl before she was loaded into the ambulance and transported to BCCH.

Personnel from the Fallon-Churchill Volunteer Fire Department and the Federal Fire Department, NAS Fallon rendered aid at the scene.

Ames said the investigation is ongoing and would not speculate on the factors leading up to the accident. Ames said witnesses to this accident are encouraged to call the NHP at 423-7946.

Details will be updated as more information is gathered.

• Christie Lattin contributed to the story.