Suspect driver in fatal crash near Incline Village found, being treated for injuries
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Fri, 01/02/2015 - 12:15pm
UPDATE: The Nevada Highway Patrol reports the driver of the Isuzu Rodeo involved in a fatal New Year's night vehicle crash has been located. Manuel Mejia Verdusco, 49, of Incline Village, was the driver that had been reported missing in the head-on crash that killed one person on Mt. Rose Highway, according the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Verdusco has multiple injuries to the face, wrist, and ankle and has been taken to the hospital for treatment.
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UPDATE: The Nevada Highway Patrol was able to make contact with Mr. Edgar Guzman-Barrios. After cooperating with an interview with law enforcement officers Mr. Guzman-Barrios provided important proof that cleared him of any involvement in the crash. NHP is confident that Mr. Guzman-Barrios was not inside the vehicle when it caused the accident on Mt. Rose. The NHP investigators are now looking into other evidence to help locate the driver of the Isuzu Rodeo.
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One person has died and another is being sought after a two-vehicle crash on Mt. Rose Highway on New Year's Day in which alcohol may have been a factor, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
At 6:18 p.m., NHP troopers were dispatched to the crash on State Route 431 near Incline Village. Crash investigation details indicate a 1998 silver Isuzu Rodeo with two occupants was traveling westbound on Mt. Rose Highway when the driver, who since fled the scene of the accident, allowed the SUV to cross over the center line where it struck a blue 2003 Jeep Liberty traveling eastbound, said NHP Trooper Dave Gibson.
The Jeep was driven by an unidentified female and two passengers. Two occupants of the Jeep were transported via helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center with major injuries and one occupant by ambulance with serious injuries.
The passenger of the Isuzu was transported by helicopter to Renown with critical injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. After the crash the unidentified driver of the Isuzu fled the accident scene on foot. He was last seen running from the scene bleeding from lacerations around his face. His whereabouts are unknown at this time.
Mt Rose Highway was delayed in both directions for several hours while the NHP investigated the crash scene. Alcohol may be factor in the cause of the accident. The name of the deceased is being withheld until the next of kin can be notified.
Trooper Karen Garretson and Sergeant Dave Cox of the Nevada Highway Patrol’s Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team (MIRT) are investigating this incident. If you have information call (775) 689-4625 or (775) 689-4615 regarding this case.
