A Duckwater man was killed Monday in a single car roller 53 miles east of Ely, reports the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Mr. Mitchell Maes, age 48, from Duckwater, Nevada, was driving a 2010 Dodge Charger N/B on State Route 379. Mr. Maes allowed his vehicle to travel off the right (east) dirt shoulder. He over corrected his vehicle to the left to regain the highway. The vehicle rotated counterclockwise, crossed the north and southbound travel lanes, and into the left (west) dirt shoulder. Its right side tires furrowed into the soil causing the Dodge Charger to overturn.
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Mr. Maes was ejected during rollover and sustained fatal injuries at the scene. He was not wearing his seat belt.
The accident occurred on SR379 approximately 53 miles west of Ely, Nevada (Nye County marker 2).
Minor Car Trouble Becomes Fatal
What may have begun as a simple break down or flat tire turned deadly Saturday for a Nevada man traveling on I-80.
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According to NHP Trooper Jim Stewart preliminary investigation indicates at approximately 9:45 pm, Mr. George May, age 49, from Golconda, Nevada, stopped his 1989 Ford passenger car in the slow lane of I-80, 20 miles east of Winnemucca. The vehicle headlights were off and the car was not visible to other traffic. Prior to the accident, a report came in to NHP dispatch of a disabled vehicle in the same area. NHP was en route to assist when the accident occurred. Troopers were unaware of the exact reason why the car was stopped only that it was blocking the travel lane.
They did not however arrive in time. According to the report a semi tractor trailer driven by Mr. Ronald Haas, age 54, from Sacramento, CA, was also traveling E/B on I-80 in the #2 travel lane. Due to darkness, and no taillights on the Ford passenger car, Mr. Haas did not see the passenger car stopped in his lane. His vehicle struck the rear of the passenger car killing Mr. May.
Both vehicles remained in contact with each other and came to rest in the median. The truck driver, Mr. Haas, was not injured.
“If your vehicle breaks down, becomes disabled, or must be stopped, move your vehicle to the right shoulder immediately, “ Stewart said. “Or take the first available off ramp, turn on your flashers (hazard lights) and call NHP for assistance.”
