Dayton girl dies in Sparks accident

A former Dayton honor student has died and a Minden man was in fair condition Monday following an accident Friday night in Sparks.

Heather Michelle Teeter, 18, died Saturday from injuries sustained in the 11:20 p.m. rollover.

Reece Shelton, 18, was the driver of a 1993 Honda Civic carrying Teeter when he lost control in a curve in the road while driving at an estimated 80 mph, said Sparks Police Sgt. Michael Cardella.

The Honda struck the median at Los Altos Drive, east of Vista Boulevard in Sparks, and hit a 1,500-pound boulder, pushing it 28 feet in soft dirt. The car flipped three times before coming to a stop 205 feet from the first impact.

Teeter was thrown from the vehicle, and Shelton had to be extricated by the fire department.

"This car was really performance ready, but it wasn't ready for a 1,500-pound rock," Cardella said, describing the vehicle as having racing tires, racing suspension, air intakes and a turbo-charged engine.

"It appears the driver simply lost the ability to make the curve due to the speed," he said.

Teeter, student body president at Dayton High School last year, was also named a Silver State Scholar for graduating in the top 10 percent of her class.

She was attending classes at the University Nevada, Reno, and had moved from the dorms into her apartment on Los Altos Drive on Friday afternoon.

Shelton was listed in fair condition at Washoe Medical Center with a back injury. Cardella said Shelton was wearing a seatbelt, but he was unsure if Teeter also was wearing a seatbelt.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor.