Two dead, one critically injured after driver going wrong way crashes on I-580 in Reno
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 04/07/2014 - 10:04am
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a wrong-way vehicle crash that killed two people early Saturday morning on Interstate 580 near Plumb Lane in Reno, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol. A 70-year-old woman is in critical condition at Renown Medical Center in Reno.
Kenneth C. Lee, 23, of Reno and Hans-Hartmut Kaesgen, 71, of Berea, Ohio died as a result of the crash reported at 3:26 a.m., said NHP Trooper Karen Garretson.
NHP's preliminary investigation indicates that a red 1995 Honda Civic driven by Lee was traveling the wrong way, heading south in the northbound transition lane of IR-580. It is believed that the Honda entered onto northbound IR-580 from the Plumb Lane northbound off ramp.
A red 2014 Nissan Versa, driven by Kaesgen, was traveling northbound on IR-580 in the transition lane, approaching the Plumb Lane exit ramp. The Honda struck the front of the Nissan approximately 1/3 mile south of the Plumb Lane exit ramp.
Both vehicles came to rest partially blocking the northbound travel lanes. Mr. Kaesgen and Mr. Lee were both pronounced deceased on scene, while the passenger and wife of the driver of the Nissan, 70 year old Nancy C. Kaesgen, was transported by REMSA to Renown Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
A portion of northbound IR-580 was closed for a few hours, while troopers completed their on-scene portion of the investigation.
Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor with this crash.
As of Monday morning, Mrs. Kaesgen remains at Renown Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
Trooper Doug Hildebrand of the Nevada Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating this unfortunate accident. Witnesses with any information regarding this case can reach him at the Reno NHP office at (775) 689-4623, the Department of Public Safety Communications Center (775) 687-0400 or dhildebrand@dps.state.nv.us, please reference case number NHP-140400357.
