Douglas Sheriff's Office releases more details in Gardnerville pursuit, identifies victim and suspect
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 11/17/2021 - 4:25pm
On November 16, 2021 at 4:45 pm, a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy was involved in a vehicular pursuit in the Gardnerville Ranchos. The suspect fleeing from the deputy was Blake Edward Thacker, a 31-year-old male who was wanted by the State of Oregon for a felony parole violation.
During the pursuit, Thacker’s vehicle rounded a corner at a high rate of speed and rolled over. After the roll over, Thacker’s vehicle landed on its wheels and Thacker continued to flee from the deputy.
At the intersection of Tillman Lane and Patricia Drive, Thacker’s vehicle struck another vehicle driven by a 19-year-old female. Thacker’s vehicle then rolled over numerous times.
During this roll over, Thacker’s passenger, John David Schulze, 43, of Gardnerville, was ejected from Thacker’s vehicle and later pronounced dead at the scene.
The 19-year-old female driver of the vehicle that Thacker struck was transported to the Carson Valley Medical Center with unspecified injuries.
Thacker was transported via helicopter to Renown Medical Center in Reno with unspecified injuries. Thacker, who has an extensive criminal history, is currently being held on the Oregon felony parole violation and will be facing numerous felony charges in Douglas County for the pursuit, the traffic accident which injured the 19 year old female and the death of Schulze.
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office and the Nevada Highway Patrol are conducting the investigation.
