A truck driver was seriously injured in Washoe Valley just before noon today when he was hit head on by the trailer of a passing semi blown into his path by the wind.
It was reported earlier that he was killed. Subsequent information determined that he was taken to the hospital with severe injuries.
According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, a Matheson Freight truck was traveling south on Old Highway 395 when its second trailer swung from behind the truck and into the path of a northbound truck.
The northbound truck went through the trailer of the Matheson truck. The driver of the northbound truck was taken to the hospital.
A third truck was also on its side nearby, but it is unkown if it was involved in the same accident. A fourth truck has been blown over on Highway 395.
Highway 395 and Old Highway 395 are closed to all vehicles through Washoe Valley because of high winds.
Passenger cars and SUVs are being allowed to travel on East Lake Boulevard, but travel through the valley is not advised, said Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chuck Allen.
Rudy Cruz, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Reno, said winds were averaging 65-75 mph for most of the morning. The peak wind gust was 76 mph at 11:30 a.m.
Winds are expected to last for most of the day. On the crest of the Sierra, winds are gusting about 110 mph.
A wind advisory for Highway 395 through Washoe Valley was posted earlier by the Nevada Department of Transportation.
For more information, go to the Nevada Department of Transportation Web site: http://www.nevadadot.com/traveler/roads/
