A Carson City man was killed Monday as he crossed at Long and Carson streets while going to get a soda.
Nevada Highway Patrol officials said Anthony Maes, 48, was struck when he was about 5 feet into the crosswalk shortly before noon by an Atlas Lumber and Doors flatbed truck driven by Damien Lee Michelli, 31, of Silver City.
Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Zacha said Maes was caught in the undercarriage of the truck and dragged a short distance as Michelli made a right northbound turn onto Carson Street from Long Street.
Maes was taken to Carson-Tahoe Hospita, where he was pronounced dead. He apparently died from massive head injuries, Zacha said.
Michelli, questioned at length by police, was taken to the Carson City Jail for a voluntary blood test to determine if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Whether Michelli is charged with a crime is up to the Carson City District Attorney's Office, Zacha said. He was released Monday afternoon.
Juan Delgado, manager of the Friends In Service Helping thrift store on Long Street, said Maes had volunteered at the store, but before Monday hadn't been seen in a few months.
"He came up to me today and asked about volunteering," he said. "I told him he'd have to go to the office, but they were closed for lunch."
Delgado said Maes decided to cross Carson Street and buy a soda at a Shell gas station as he waited for the office to reopen.
"Take care, brother," Delgado recalled Maes saying as he walked away.
Moments later, Delgado said, he heard a woman screaming, and when he walked to the street, he saw Maes lying there.
"It gives me goose bumps to think I haven't seen him in months, he shows back up to volunteer, and two minutes later he's dead. It's sad. He was a nice guy," Delgado said.
