Fernley motorcyclist killed in crash on I-80
Last evening at approximately 8:40 pm, troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol were dispatched to a crash involving a motorcycle which took place on west bound Interstate 80 at mile marker 38, near the Orchard Interchange, approximately 8 miles west of Fernley.
The details investigated so far indicate 55-year-old Russell W. Morton of Fernley was traveling westbound in the number one, or left, travel lane on his red 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. For reasons still unknown, he allowed his motorcycle to depart the travel lane toward the left where it stuck a section of guardrail adjacent to the roadway edge. The collision with the guard rail ejected Mr. Morton from his motorcycle and he sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Several family members were at the crash scene shortly after the tragedy happened and were briefed about their loss.
The collision resulted in both lanes of the freeway to be closed for almost 90 minutes while troopers completed their on-scene portion of the investigation. The number two, or right, lane was opened just after 10:00 pm and both lanes were completely cleared around 11:00 pm.
Trooper Mike Stapledon of the Major Accident Investigation Team is assigned to this case. Witnesses or anyone with additional information are encouraged to contact him at (775) 689-4623 or mstapledon@dps.state.nv.us regarding case number NHP-120531950.