NHP investigating fatal crash May 18 in Reno, driver charged with felony DUI causing death
On Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at approximately 6:33 a.m., Nevada Highway Patrol Troopers responded to an injury crash on SR-430 (Old Virginia Road) and the southbound US-395 Panther Valley on-ramp in Reno.
Preliminary investigation shows that a green 2007 Volkswagen Beetle was traveling northbound on SR-430 in the storage lane south of the southbound US-395 Panther Valley on-ramp. A black 2001 Ford Explorer was northbound in the left travel lane on SR-430 approaching the southbound US-395 Panther Valley on-ramp.
The Volkswagen Beetle attempted to overtake the Ford Explorer by passing on the left in the storage lane and approached a raised concrete traffic island. The Volkswagen drove onto the traffic island, struck a marker post, and entered the left travel lane occupied by the Ford. The right side of the Volkswagen struck the left side of the Ford. The Ford began to rotate and overturn, ejecting the unrestrained driver. The Volkswagen continued northbound on SR-430 and fled the scene of the crash.
The driver of the Ford (James Marsh, a 44-year-old Reno resident) was declared deceased on scene. The driver of the Volkswagen (Jennifer Dietsch, a 20-year-old Reno resident) was located and arrested on the following charges: DUI (marijuana) causing death (felony), duty to stop at scene of crash involving death (felony), failure to maintain travel lane (misdemeanor), failure to render aid (misdemeanor), duty to report crash to police officer (misdemeanor).
This incident is being investigated by the Nevada Highway Patrol Northern Command West Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team (M.I.R.T.) - NHP Case No. 210501261.