Victims are identified in Highway 395 fatal crashes

A 50-year-old Gardnerville woman was among the victims in Saturday’s two-vehicle collision on U.S. 395 south of Gardnerville which claimed three lives.An Indian Hills man was killed a few hours later in a single-vehicle rollover early Sunday at Lucerne and U.S. 395 in Minden.The Nevada Highway Patrol on Thursday identified those killed in the Saturday crash as Brenda Stringham, 50, of Gardnerville; James Walter Harvey, 66, of Yerington; and Matthew Travis Walburg, 21, of Reno.Rafael Silva-Olivas, 43, of Indian Hills, was killed in the Sunday crash.Harvey was the driver of a 1995 Geo Metro, and Stringham a passenger. Walburg was driving a 2007 Nissan Frontier pickup. According to the NHP, the Metro was traveling south on U.S. 395 about 12 miles south of Gardnerville. Walburg’s northbound Nissan truck crossed the centerline and struck the Geo Metro head-on.All three died at the scene. The patrol reported that Stringham was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. The NHP said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the collision, which occurred shortly before midnight. The highway was closed in both directions for approximately five hours. Silva-Olivas was driving a 1991 Jeep Wrangler north on Highway 395 at 4:38 a.m. Sunday, approaching Lucerne Street.The driver lost control of his vehicle while making a right turn onto Lucerne. The Jeep skidded as it entered the intersection, struck the curb on the northeast corner and overturned. According to the NHP, Silva-Olivas was not wearing a seat belt, and was partially ejected. He was taken to Carson Tahoe Hospital Regional Medical Center via CareFlight where he died.That accident closed the highway for about two hours.Trooper Scott Morron of the Major Accident Investigation Team is asking witnesses to either accident to call him at 688-2500, or contact him at smorron@dps.state.nv.us.The number for the Gardnerville case is 120916422; the Minden case is 120916515.