Carson City man identified in fatal crash with RV near Gerlach
The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner's Office has identified a Carson City man who died in a vehicle crash Sunday near Gerlach.
Lonnie Richey, 61, was the lone occupant of a pickup that crashed head-on into a motorhome on Sunday and died at the scene, the examiner's office confirmed Monday.
According to Washoe County Sheriff's Office spokesman Bob Harmon, the pickup was traveling southbound on County Road 34 when the pickup crossed the double yellow lines and struck an RV occupied by two persons that was traveling northbound in the northbound lane. The accident was reported just after noon on Sunday.
The sole occupant of the pickup, Lonnie Richey, was declared deceased on the scene. The two persons in the RV suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, said Harmon.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is investigating to determine what caused the driver to drift and cross the double yellow lines.
Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor, but fatigue may be a factor, said Harmon.
The fatal crash had forced closure of The "Y" at State Route 447 and County Road 34, where thousands of vehicles were making their way to Burning Man festivities in the Black Rock Desert. The road was closed for around 5 hours.