Driver identified in Highway 395 accident

The identity of the driver who died during a head-on collision Tuesday afternoon has been released by the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Minden resident 75-year-old Marvin Kirk was the driver of a blue van that crossed the center divider near the intersection with Highway 88 shortly before 1 p.m. this afternoon.

Kirk's van clipped the left side of a vehicle being driven by Douglas County Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tom Mezzetta and then hit a white Suzuki driven by 37-year-old Kristen Gingrich head-on.

Gingrich was treated and released for injuries sustained in the accident. Kirk's passenger, 82-year-old Pauline Kirk was taken to Renown Medical Center by CareFlight helicopter

Douglas Deputy Bryan Sanchez said emergency personnel performed CPR on the driver of the blue van, 75-year-old Marvin Kirk, of Minden, but he was dead.

"One witness said he appeared to be unconscious as he crossed over the center divider," Sanchez said.

The accident shut down the southbound lanes of Highway 395 and traffic was diverted at Muller Lane. Cars were backed up on the highway past Genoa Lane when the travel lanes reopened.