Gardnerville man identified in fatal 3-vehicle crash Sunday at Tahoe
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 03/09/2021 - 5:36pm
The Nevada Highway Patrol has identified a Gardnerville man who died in a three-vehicle crash Sunday, March 7 on Highway 50 in Douglas County at Lake Tahoe.
Rafael Cortez, a 52-year-old Gardnerville resident, died at the scene of the crash, reported at 5:11 p.m. between Glenbrook and Zephyr Cove at mile marker 3.
Cortez was driving a green 2001 Toyota Tacoma, which was occupied by one other person. That passenger suffered severe injuries and was flown by Care Flight, said NHP Trooper Hannah DeGoey.
A preliminary investigation into the crash done by NHP shows that a silver 2015 Subaru Impreza was eastbound in the right lane on US-50 approaching the Toyota Tacoma pickup, driven by Cortez. The Tacoma was traveling eastbound on US-50 in the left lane.
The driver of the Subaru failed to maintain their travel lane and entered the left lane occupied by the Tacoma. The left front of the Subaru struck the right rear of the Tacoma. Both vehicles overturned and entered the westbound travel lanes.
The driver of the Subaru suffered a broken vertebrae and was transported via Care Flight, according to Trooper DeGoey.
The Tacoma landed on the hood of a silver 1999 Toyota Corolla traveling westbound in the right lane, according to the NHP preliminary investigation.
The driver of the Corolla and a passenger suffered minor injuries, said DeGoey.
NHP says Impairment is suspected. This crash is being investigated by the Nevada Highway Patrol Northern Command West Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team (M.I.R.T.) - NHP Case No. 210300443.
