Investigation continues into fatal 395 accident

The father of a 16-year-old Douglas High School sophomore killed July 12 in an automobile accident said Tuesday that another family is experiencing similar pain.

Marissa Bemiss, a 17-year-old Minden girl, remains in serious condition at Washoe Medical Center in Reno.

She was the driver of a vehicle that collided with a car driven by Nicole Snyder, daughter of Patti and John of the Gardnerville Ranchos.

Snyder was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The other family is suffering as much," Nicole's father said on Tuesday.

Bemiss' condition was listed as critical after she was taken from the accident scene about 1:30 p.m. July 12.

Two passengers in her Acura have been released from the hospital. A 16-year-old Pleasant Grove, Utah, girl was sent home Friday from the hospital. A 17-year-old Minden girl in the back seat of the Acura was released on Wednesday.

Snyder asks there be no speculation about the cause of the accident until Nevada Highway Patrol investigators have concluded their investigation.

"We've met with (the family), we met with them yesterday morning," Snyder said. "We have been in contact with them.

"She is still clinging to life."

NHP investigators closed part of southbound Highway 395 Monday to re-examine the accident scene. Investigators also conducted interviews with witnesses Monday afternoon.

"The interviews we did yesterday shed a lot on the course of events," Clark said.

Investigators are not looking for the driver of a yellow vehicle that was in front of the Acura driven by Bemiss.

"We don't have a clue who they are and where they are from," Clark said. "From what witnesses said, they didn't do anything that was unsafe or illegal."

Last Monday Bemiss was northbound on Highway 395 and approached the yellow vehicle in the same lane.

Both drivers changed about the same time. Bemiss shifted to the left lane to avoid hitting the yellow vehicle, then went into the median, and the accident occurred.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call NHP at 688-2550

Contact Maggie O'Neill at mo'neill@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 214.