A two-vehicle accident Wednesday morning seriously injured a state worker in a construction zone on the Reno Highway and also both drivers and passengers from one of the cars.
A Wednesday morning crash at the intersection of Sheckler Cut-off and U.S. Highway 50 left one person in serious condition, reported the Nevada Highway Patrol.
The NHP said the driver of one car and a worker from the Nevada Department of Transportation were taken by paramedics to Banner Churchill Community Hospital. The NDOT employee, Michael D. Spanier of Hawthorne, was transported by CareFlight to Renown Medical Center in Reno. The accident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. The Reno Highway was limited to one-lane traffic in the westbound lane, and eastbound traffic was rerouted on Sheckler Cut-off.
The NHP said a Toytota Camry driven by Belle Currie, 88, of Fallon was traveling in the far right-hand lane of the Reno Highway. The NDOT is currently resealing the surface of the highway. Currie apparently turned left across the highway and T-boned a Nissan SUV, which was driven by Jamie Lyn Sweetser, 34, of Fernley. Sweetser was treated at BCCH and later released. The NHP said Currie was attempting to turn onto Sheckler Cut-off. Because of the collision, one of the vehicles then struck the NDOT worker. Several NDOT employees were operating equipment, while others were performing highway maintenance and repair-related duties on foot. The NHP said four passengers in the Nissan — three children and an elderly woman — were taken to BCCH as was Currie. The NHP said their injuries were “moderate” and they were later released.
Sgt. Dave Cox, supervisor of the Fallon District office, said Spanier had surgery on Wednesday. According to Cox, Spanier was sweeping a turn lane that connects Sheckler with Highway 50 east.
“When Spanier saw the Nissan coming toward him, he began to tun toward the northeast corner of Sheckler and the Reno Highway when the vehicle struck him,” Cox said.
The Major Accident Investigation Team was dispatched to investigate the accident. Witnesses or anyone with additional information are encouraged to contact Trooper Chris Kelly at (775) 689-4661 or at ckelly@dps.state.nv.us regarding case number NHP-130801203. Once the investigation is completed, which may take 30 or more days, any traffic-related charges will be filed at that time.