Four hurt in two accidents on highways 50, 395

Four people were injured in two separate accidents that tied up rush-hour traffic Monday on two heavily traveled roads just outside Carson City.

According to Trooper Eric Gallagher of the Nevada Highway Patrol, a Jeep Wrangler was passing a semi-truck hauling two trailers in the westbound fast lane about 3 p.m. on Highway 50 East near the Dayton hill when the semi drifted into the Jeep.

"The Jeep swerved to the left and then right, and they made contact with each other," said Gallagher.

Both the semi, from Cinderlite in Carson City, and the Jeep rolled.

The semi's load of sand spilled over the eastbound lanes, causing traffic to be diverted onto the westbound lanes. Department of transportation crews had cleared the sand by 8 p.m.

Gallagher said the driver of the Jeep, Frank Homan, 53, of Yerington was taken by ambulance to Carson Tahoe Hospital. His passenger was unharmed.

The driver of the semi, Kevin Brinkley, 44, of Carson City went to the hospital in a private vehicle.

Gallagher said Brinkley will be cited in the accident.

An hour and a half later, four vehicles were involved in an accident on Highway 395 when a driver tried to cross the northbound lanes to turn onto Stephanie Way.

NHP Trooper Anthony Cozzi said the driver failed to yield the right of way, striking a northbound vehicle, which in turn struck another vehicle.

A fourth vehicle, just pulling on to Highway 395 from Stephanie Way, was also struck, causing it to careen into a light pole.

Cozzi said the northbound driver who was hit first had to be extricated from the wreckage.

"He was trapped in the vehicle for a little bit. They had to pop the door off," he said.

The man was taken by Care Flight helicopter to Washoe Medical Center.

The at-fault driver went by ambulance to the hospital.

Both northbound lanes were closed for about two hours. Traffic was routed through Heybourne Road.

Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.