Freezing rain and snow contributed to a number of accidents Monday morning, while a fatal accident in Fallon is believed to be alcohol related, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
According to Trooper Chuck Allen, between 1:30-8:30 a.m. Monday, troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol responded to 17 accidents on Northern Nevada highways.
Five separate rollover accidents were reported on Highway 395 between Bellevue Bridge and the Bowers Mansion turnoff in north Washoe Valley. No injuries were reported, Allen said.
And a four-vehicle accident with minor injuries was investigated on Highway 50 just east of Deer Run Road about 7 a.m. causing 15-minute delays in westbound traffic into Carson City.
The most serious accident, not related to weather however, happened around 5:46 a.m. Monday in Churchill County on Highway 50 East near McLean Road, approximately three miles west of Fallon.
According to Allen, a 19-year-old Fallon woman was eastbound on Highway 50 East in a gray 1983 Volvo station wagon when she was struck head on by a 2007 Chevrolet pickup driven by a 21-year-old man with a New York driver's license.
Both drivers had to be extricated from their vehicles. The female driver was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 6:38 a.m., while the male driver was taken to Banner Churchill Community Hospital in Fallon before being transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.
Alcohol and speed are both being looked at as the primary contributing factors in the crash, said Allen.
The male driver is currently listed in serious condition at the hospital this afternoon. Allen said both names should be released tomorrow.
Witnesses to the fatal accident are encouraged to call Trooper Robert Haigney of the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T) at (775) 689-4682 regarding case # NHP-1011080136.