Nevada State Police identifies victim of fatal crash on Interstate 80 near Carlin
Nevada Highway Patrol troopers responded to a crash on I-80 at mile marker 279 in Elko County, near the junction with State Route 278, a mile west of the Central Carlin exit, the crash happened Wednesday, July 31, 2:12 p.m.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a white 2014 Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle (SUV) was traveling east on Interstate 80 in the leftmost eastbound travel lane. The driver of the Toyota failed to maintain the travel lane and drove off the left side of the roadway.
The driver steered to the right and over-corrected causing the vehicle to travel across both eastbound travel lanes and onto the outside shoulder where it ultimately overturned. The driver was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle causing fatal injuries. He was identified as 34-year- old Dennis Kunz of Elko, Nevada. The other occupants of the Toyota were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash is considered an open investigation and is being investigated by the Nevada Highway Patrol Northern Command East Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team (M.I.R.T.). If you were a witness to this incident, or have any information regarding the crash, please contact the NHP Elko Office at (775) 753-1111 or e-mail ncemirt@dps.state.nv.us.
2024 year to date: Nevada Highway Patrol, Northern Command East has investigated 21 fatal crashes resulting in 28 fatalities. Fatalities data is preliminary and may change/be updated based on final investigation and coroner reports.