Autopsies complete in 395 fatal

Autopsies are complete for the three people killed in the Friday afternoon crash on Highway 395 just south of Mica Drive, according to Deputy Coroner Liz Beadle at the Washoe County Coroner's office.

The cause of death in all three cases came back pretty much the same -- blunt force trauma due to automobile accident, she said.

The autopsies were completed on Saturday morning, though final reports won't be released until Monday, Beadle said.

A preliminary investigation by the Nevada Highway Patrol alleges the crash occurred when 26-year-old John William Veader of Mound House, who was northbound, swerved across the median and launched off the dirt embankment. The truck came down on a 2002 Audi driven by 39-year-old Michele Campbell of Gardnerville, killing her instantly, and then was hit by a 1999 Buick sedan driven by Jessica Ann Gomes, 45, also of Gardnerville. Gomes was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Veader was transported to Washoe Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Because blood-alcohol-level tests are required by protocol for all deaths due to automobile accident, Beadle said such tests were "probably sent out."

Toxicology tests will take up to six weeks to be completed at the Washoe County Crime Lab.

The accident, which occurred about 3:30 p.m., backed up traffic for as much as three miles, closing the southbound lanes until after 7 p.m. Friday. Northbound traffic was closed for an hour.

All of the drivers involved in the crash were wearing seat belts. There were no passengers in any of the cars.

Investigation of the accident is continuing.