A two-car accident on Interstate 80 closed the eastbound lanes on Monday afternoon and sent three people to the hospital in Reno.
Three occupants from two cars involved in a head-on accident on Interstate 80 east of Fernley on Monday were flown to Renown Regional Medical Center with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, a vehicle driven by Augustine Kennedy of Fallon, spinned a U-turn in the eastbound lane in his Toyota before the accident happened. The NHP said the collision occurred at about 1:15 p.m. near mile marker 71 in Churchill County,
NHP Trooper Dave Gibson, spokesman for the NHP’s Northern Command in Reno, said Kennedy decided to make a U-turn for some unknown reason, and then the two cars collided.
The accident closed the eastbound lanes for several hours until one lane was reopened. The NHP has not ruled out that alcohol or other drugs were a factor, but Gibson said the NHP is waiting for blood results. Kennedy was taken to Renown by Care Flight along with the passengers from the other car, Trent Renner and Alisa Merino, both from Smith Valley.
Churchill County Fire Department responded to aide in the extrication of the occupants. Paramedics from Banner Churchill Community Hospital also assisted at the scene.
Gibson said the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The NHP also responded to a motor vehicle accident at the Lovelock Highway and Rice Road before 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
No other information has been released by the NHP.