A 39-year-old Fernley woman died early Thursday after the vehicle she was riding in crashed trying to elude Lyon County Sheriff’s deputies.
LYSO attempted to conduct a traffic stop with a speeding motorist on Main Street in Fernley at 12:10 a.m. Thursday. The vehicle’s driver refused to stop and led the deputy on a high-speed chase on Miller Lane. The driver failed to maintain vehicle control and crashed into the water-filled Truckee-Carson Irrigation District Canal.
When a second deputy arrived, both deputies entered the water to attempt to extract the occupants in the submerged vehicle. The unidentified driver and second passenger were removed onto the bank. Deputies returned to the vehicle and attempted to extract Patricia Brandy Martinez, but were unsuccessful. She died at the scene after rescue crews were able to extract her from the vehicle.
Deputies were treated for cold-related injuries and released at the scene. Both subjects were transported, treated and released from the Renown Medical Center. One of the subjects, Brandon Mood, was subsequently arrested for unrelated warrants by the Reno Police Department.
The Nevada Highway Patrol is currently investigating. If anyone has any information regarding this incident, contact Secret Witness at 775-322-4900, Nevada Highway Patrol at 775-689-4623 or the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office at 775-463-6600.