Nevada State Police continue to investigate April 23 fatal crash that killed Gardnerville woman
The April 23 fatal crash on Highway 395 in Douglas County that took the life of a 22-year-old Gardnerville woman remains under investigation with the driver, who was driving the wrong way and caused the crash, remaining hospitalized for injuries sustained in the crash, according to Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol division.
Fallon Montanucci died of injuries from the crash. Her front passenger, who was identified as her sister, Avalon Montanucci, suffered life threatening injuries.
The name of the adult male driver, who was going the wrong way and caused the fatal crash, has not been released by Nevada State Police as he is incapacitated at the hospital. Impairment and speed are suspected factors in the crash.
A number of readers have asked why the driver's name has not been released. According Nevada State Police spokesman Charles Caster the driver is in the hospital and may not be released for some time due to the extent of injuries.
"Charges haven't been filed because the person is in the hospital still being treated. We do not release names of subjects or suspects in criminal cases until they have been booked into jail. That is procedure and policy," said Caster.
If the driver were to be charged, among the charges would likely to include reckless driving causing death.
On Saturday, April 23, 2022, at approximately 4:07 a.m., troopers with the Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol Division, responded to the wrong way crash on US-395 southbound and Airport Road in Minden.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of a silver 2020 Ford F-150 pickup was driving wrong way, going northbound in the southbound, number 1 travel lane. The front of the Ford struck the front of a silver 2017 Hyundai Accent sedan, driven by Fallon Montanucci, traveling southbound in the number 1 travel lane.
Fallon Montanucci died at the scene. The crash is being investigated by the Highway Patrol Division’s Northern Command West Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team (M.I.R.T.) - Case #220401626. If anyone has any information about this crash, please send an email to ncwmirt@dps.state.nv.us and reference the case number.