The driver of a Cadillac was killed after veering into the path of an oncoming truck, resulting in a head-on collision that closed Highway 395 for most of Monday morning.
Minden resident Christopher Errol Oakden, 53, was identified as the Cadillac’s driver by the Nevada Highway Patrol.
A 2012 Freightliner was southbound on Highway 395 near the intersection with Ray May Way when the collision occurred, according to NHP.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts.
“(The) driver of the Cadillac incurred massive trauma and likely died upon impact,” Trooper Dan Gordon said of the crash that was reported at 9:27 a.m.
Both lanes of Highway 395 were closed for three hours. The highway was reduced to one lane afterward to unload the contents of the truck.
The driver of the truck refused treatment by medics at the scene.
East Fork firefighters responding to the collision stopped a fuel leak from the truck. Highway 395 was closed from Palomino Lane to Holbrook Junction for most of the morning. The crash is being investigated by NHP Trooper Doug Hildebrand of the Multi-disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have any information related to this crash is encouraged to contact Hildebrand at 775-687-9617 or dhildebrand@dps.state.nv.us regarding NHP case No. 170402070.
This is the second fatal crash on Highway 395 in the Pine Nuts this year.
A Reno man was killed after losing control of his vehicle near China Spring and colliding with another vehicle on Feb. 15.
Monday’s accident is the third fatal collision in Douglas County in 2017. A toddler was killed in a Jan. 17 collision on Highway 395 at Johnson Lane.
