Carson City woman suspected of DUI in fatal crash

A Carson City woman is suspected of driving under the influence in a fatal crash on U.S. 50 near Cave Rock on Monday afternoon.

At approximately 4:39 p.m., Nevada Highway Patrol troopers were called to the area for a serious injury head-on collision involving two vehicles.

The preliminary investigation indicates a black 2015 Volkswagen Passat was traveling eastbound around a curve, crossed over the double yellow line and into westbound traffic. A black 2017 Chrysler minivan was traveling westbound around the same curve when it was struck head-on by the Passat.

The driver who was the only occupant of the Passat was transported to a Reno hospital by ambulance with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. There were six occupants in the minivan. The front passenger, Sranthon Bunnag, 52 from Thailand, died as a result of the accident. The driver of the Chrysler and the four other passengers were all transported to a South Lake Tahoe hospital via ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Passat, a 40-year-old woman from Carson City, is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. When she’s released from the hospital, she will be booked into the Douglas County jail for DUI and other related charges.

If you were a witness or have any information regarding this collision, contact Trooper Jason Litchie of the Nevada Highway Patrol Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team (M.I.R.T.) at 775-687-9631 or jdlitchie@dps.state.nv.us. Case No. is 170602698.