A boat that was being towed down Highway 50 continued hundreds of yards down the Interstate after a collision knocked it loose. NHP photo
An ordinance that will permit Douglas County deputies to inspect commercial vehicle inspections was introduced on Thursday.
Deputy District Attorney Zach Wadlé said the ordinance has been in the works for most of the year after two deputies attained certification to inspect commercial vehicles.
By introducing the ordinance, county commissioners are informing residents they plan to alter it. Currently, the county relies on the Nevada Highway Patrol to do inspections and cite violators.
Douglas County commissioners met 1 p.m. Thursday in the historic Douglas County courthouse, 1616 Eighth St., Minden.
While not motivated by any particular incident, the ordinance would have allowed deputies to inspect a boat and trailer being transported down Highway 50 from Lake Tahoe, which caused a collision resulting in two deaths at the base of Spooner Highway.
The driver of the Ford F-350 towing the boat appeared in Carson City Justice Court on Monday.
Roney Rolando Gonzalez Otazo is facing felony charges of reckless driving resulting in death, and 14 charges involving the vehicle, including not having a commercial drivers license or brakes on the trailer.
The 25-year-old was driving a pickup registered to Florida residents Xiomara Leyva or Alfredo Leyva, Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman Trooper Charles Caster confirmed on Tuesday. The boat trailer is owned by a Maria Cruz-Mirete.
Dayton residents Don and Tana Powell were killed in the crash that injured nine people, three critically.
Gonzalez-Otazo is being held on $100,000 bail pending a Nov. 30 hearing.
According to the Nevada Appeal, he is being represented by Michael Castillo.
