Head-on collision leaves 1 woman dead

A 52-year-old Silver Springs woman was killed in a head-on collision Friday night about seven miles east of Dayton on Highway 50 East, the Nevada Highway Patrol reports.

A preliminary investigation shows that a white Mercury Sable driven by Jessica Lynn Sanchez, 37, of Dayton, was heading west in the eastbound travel lane shortly before 11 p.m. when she struck a green Ford Tempo with two occupants traveling east.

When NHP arrived on the scene, Carole Marie Ernst, a passenger in the green Ford was pronounced dead at the scene. Both Sanchez and the driver of the Ford, Cindy Ann Leon, 32, of Silver Springs sustained substantial injuries and were transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno via Care Flight helicopter, where they are listed in stable condition.

Alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor to the accident.

Nevada Highway Patrol's Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) is investigating the accident. Witnesses or those with additional information are encouraged to call the Department of Public Safety-Communications Center at 775-687-0400.

No citations have been issued and the accident is still being investigated.