Eight injured in Zephyr Cove three-vehicle accident

ZEPHYR COVE - Eight people were injured Friday in a three-vehicle accident on Highway 50 near here.

Lt. Paul Hinen of the Nevada Highway Patrol said a westbound pickup carrying two people, crossed the center line near Cedarbrook about 9:55 a.m. and sideswiped a white Jeep before overturning. The jeep then either struck or was struck by a gold BMW.

Both passengers in the truck, two people in the jeep and four in the BMW were all taken to the hospital.

Two patients were taken by helicopter to Washoe Medical Center, including the mother of an infant that was also involved in the wreck. The others, including the infant, were transported by ambulance. Hinen said it appears all the injuries are "non-life threatening."

Names of the injured were not available.

Hinen said charges could be forthcoming pending the outcome of the investigation.

Both directions of Highway 50 were closed until about noon as rescue crews worked to help the injured. Debris was reportedly strewn across three lanes of traffic.

Douglas County Sheriff's Lt. Keith Logan said the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District should be commended for their efforts in getting to the victims.

"Tahoe Douglas did two extensive and unique extractions. It was top notch all the way," he said. "It was phenomenal to watch them work in this situation."

Motorist Steve McHugh, who drove past the accident scene minutes after the Care Flight helicopters took off said the area looked like a "war zone" with a large utility van or truck on its wheels and two other vehicles wrecked beyond recognition.

"There's bound to be some fatalities and horrible injuries. You don't have this kind of accident happen and people just walk away," said McHugh, a South Shore attorney.

He said the accident could have been avoided had there been a concrete center divider.

"They have the center divider on the valley side but not on the lake side of Highway 50," McHugh said. "

How many more accidents is it going to take before Nevada transportation officials realize that the center divider is needed?"