RV puts the squeeze on a pickup on Reno Highway

A recreational vehicle pulling a trailer and a second vehicle, a GMC pickup, were involved in a Monday morning accident that slowed traffic on the westbound lanes of the Reno Highway near McLean Road because of a damaged power pole.

The Nevada Highway Patrol closed all east and westbound travel lanes due to downed active power lines in the area. Eastbound traffic was diverted onto Mclean Road. Westbound traffic was routed onto Grand Avenue. NV Energy spent the afternoon replacing the power pole.

The NHP said the pickup was headed eastbound on U.S. Highway 50 in the center turn lane. An RV pulling a white box trailer was headed westbound in the travel lane. The report stated the driver of the GMC pickup made a left turn onto an adjacent street into the pathway of the RV, and the front of the RV struck the right side of the GMC. Both vehicles continued in a westerly direction striking a power pole before coming to a stop.

The driver of the GMC pickup, who is from Fallon, suffered minor injuries, said the NHP, and was taken to Banner Churchill Community Hospital by paramedics. The driver of the motor home, who is from Washington, did not sustain any injuries; however, a cat riding in the motor home died.

Deputies from the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office handled traffic controls while the Nevada Highway Patrol investigated the accident.

The Fallon/Churchill Fire Department was also at the crash site monitoring the power line and assisting with the accident scene.