Nevada State Police Highway Division investigating multiple fatalities on area roads

Troopers with the Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol Division are investigating several fatal crashes on Northern Nevada highways.

Fatal Crash on US395 and Old Franktown Rd
On Friday, September 23, 2022, at approximately 1:38 p.m., troopers with the Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol Division, responded to reports of a fatal crash that occurred in the area of US395 and Old Franktown Rd. The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2003 Cadillac Deville driven by 35-year-old Roy Peter Ricci of Reno, was traveling northbound on US395A. For reasons unconfirmed, Ricci allowed the Cadillac to drift off the paved portion of the roadway onto the dirt outside shoulder striking a mailbox with its front. The Cadillac continued northbound on the dirt shoulder, hitting a wooden split rail fence. It continued northbound, struck a culvert, rotated clockwise, and continued in a northerly direction before coming to rest in contact with a utility pole facing east on its wheels. Ricci was pronounced deceased on the scene due to obvious signs of death. CTM Trooper Gunzburg is investigating this crash.

Fatal Crash on College Parkway & Imperial Way
On Saturday, September 17, 2022, at approximately 5:51 a.m., troopers with the Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol Division, responded to reports of a fatal crash that occurred in the area of College Parkway and Imperial Way.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2003 GMC Sierra pickup driven by Carson City resident, Stephen Ray Mandoki, 35, was traveling westbound on College Parkway in the number two travel lane west of Imperial Way. The GMC was approaching a pedestrian, Thomas William Le Clair, crossing College Parkway in an undetermined direction outside the crosswalk. The right front of the GMC struck Le Clair. Le Clair was pronounced deceased on the scene. The next of kin has been notified.

Impairment is unknown; pending the toxicology report. This crash is being investigated by the Highway Patrol Division’s Northern Command West Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team (M.I.R.T.) - Case # 220901258. If anyone has any information about this crash, please send an email to ncwmirt@dps.state.nv.us and reference the case number.

Fatal Crash on IR580 at Eastlake Blvd.
On Sunday, September 25, 2022, at approximately 1:00 a.m., troopers with the Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol Division, responded to reports of a fatal crash that occurred in the area of IR580 at Eastlake Blvd. The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado pickup driven by Carson City resident Griseldo Castaneda Benitez, 24, was traveling southbound on IR580 between Eastlake Boulevard and N. Carson Street. For reasons unconfirmed, Castaneda Benitez allowed the Chevrolet to exit his travel lane and strike the center median wall. They input steering to the right and failed to maintain control of their vehicle. Castaneda Benitez was ejected from the car as it overturned. He came to rest in the number two southbound travel lane of IR580, and the Chevrolet came to rest on its wheels facing southeast in the number one travel lane and erupted into flames south of the driver. Castaneda Benitez was transported from the scene via Care Flight and succumbed to his injuries at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. The next of kin has been notified. Speed and impairment are suspected factors in this crash. This crash is being investigated by the Trooper Tutorow- Case # 220901855. If anyone has any information about this crash, please send an email to atutorow@dps.state.nv.us and reference the case number.

Fatal Crash on US395/Panther Valley
On Thursday, September 7, 2022, at approximately 7:51 p.m., troopers with the Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol Division, responded to reports of a fatal crash that occurred in the area of US395/Panther Valley. The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2020 Toyota Camry driven by David Antonion Gonzalez, age 33, was traveling southbound on US395 approaching Panther Valley in the number two travel lane. For reasons unconfirmed, Gonzalez allowed the Camry to leave the paved portion of the highway and enter the dirt shoulder. The front of the Camry struck a guardrail end, rotated clockwise, and remained in contact with the railing until it came to rest on its wheels. GONZALEZ was transported by ground and pronounced deceased at Renown. Reno Urban Traffic Trooper A. Verrier is investigating this crash. - Case # 220900535. If anyone has any information about this crash, please send an email to averrier@dps.state.nv.us and reference the case number