YERINGTON - A 23-year-old Sparks man was killed and his two passengers injured when his 1992 Mitsubishi struck a raised asphalt median while attempting to negotiate a turn onto state Route 340 near Yerington Friday evening.
According to preliminary police reports, the vehicle was traveling north on Highway 339 at high speed when Jesus A. Aguilar-Chavez lost control as he attempted to make a right turn onto Highway 340.
The car spun clockwise and struck the median. It continued its slide northeast across Route 340 where it struck a second median and plastic road marker. Still out of control, the vehicle moved across the north entrance ramp to Route 339 and struck a guardrail, rolling over and breaking through a plastic fence, ejecting all three occupants before striking a barbed-wire fence.
The vehicle came to rest on its roof.
Injured in the accident were Paul A. Briggs, 24, of Sparks and Dakota Mason, 19, of Carson City.
Briggs was taken to South Lyon Medical Center in Yerington with life-threatening injuries. He was subsequently flown by Care Flight helicopter to Washoe Medical Center.
Mason received minor injuries and was treated at South Lyon Medical Center and released.
Aguilar-Chavez was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police suspect alcohol was a contributing factor to the accident and noted that safety belts had not been in use.
