Malone identified as victim of fatal crash

A Carson City man killed in a traffic collision in Gardnerville Monday night has been identified as Jaron Malone, 31, who according to the Nevada Highway Patrol apparently had been drinking prior to driving his car into the path of an oncoming SUV.Malone drove a blue Ford sedan out of a 7-11 gas station near Riverview Drive and U.S. Highway 395 into the path of a white Mercury Mountaineer driven by Jeremy Reineman of Coleville, Calif.. Reineman, his wife, Jessica, and their three children didn’t sustain major injuries and were treated at the scene.Malone was taken to Carson Valley Medical Center in Gardnerville, where he died from his injuries as medical staffers prepared to transport him by helicopter to a Reno hospital, according to the NHP. Tianne Sam, 21, of Topaz, who was riding with Malone, was taken by Care Flight to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno and treated for her injuries. She was discharged from the hospital early Tuesday.The 10:05 p.m. accident closed two travel lanes, which were reopened shortly after midnight. “Alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor in this tragedy,” said NHP spokesman Chuck Allen, adding, “Alcohol is suspected to have impaired the driving abilities of Mr. Malone that evening.”Malone was one of nine people convicted in a 1998 Carson City beating death. He pleaded guilty to battery with substantial bodily harm and received probation in connection with the death of Sammy Resendiz. He also was convicted of driving under the influence in 2002.The Nevada Highway Patrol's Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the crash, and Trooper Doug Hildebrand is the lead investigator for the case.Witnesses, or those with additional information, are encouraged to contact him at 775-689-4623 or at dhildebrand@dps.state.nv.us regarding case number NHP-130107791.