Fatal accident still being investigated

The cause of an accident Friday night on South Carson Street that claimed the life of a Carson City man remains under investigation, officials said.

According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, Kevin Ward Massey Jr., 18, of Carson City, was driving a Mercury van northbound on South Carson Street when he entered the southbound travel lane striking a red Mitsubishi driven by Merry Susan Rillston, 65, of California.

Trooper Dan Jones said Massey's vehicle did not jump the center divide but it appeared he turned into the southbound lanes from Clearview Drive.

The van then continued northbound in the southbound lanes, striking a red motorcycle driven by James Kevin Montez, 37, a member of the Nevada National Guard. Montez, a married father, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The southbound lanes of travel were closed for more than three hours while emergency crews investigated the accident.

Massey was treated and released. Trooper Jones said drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor. He declined to speculate on what caused Massey to drive in the wrong lanes.

Rillston and Massey's passengers, Hector Perez, 11, and Ruben Perez, 9, were all listed in good condition at Renown Regional Medical Center on Monday.

Anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed the collision is encouraged to call the Department of Public Safety Communications Center at 775-687-0400 regarding case #1009171571.