Every road crew worker’s nightmare came horrifically true Tuesday when a driver plowed into a group of them on I-80 40 miles west of Elko killing two and injuring two.
According to NHP Trooper Jim Stewart, NHP Troopers responded to the fatal accident at about 1 pm on I-80 east bound near mile mark 262. Mile marker 262 is half way between Battle Mountain and Elko (38 miles west of Elko).
Preliminary investigation indicates Mrs. Candace Gittins, age 69, from Fort Bragg, CA was driving a Honda passenger car east bound on I-80 in a marked and active construction zone in the #1 lane (fast lane). The #2 (slow lane) was blocked off with orange construction barrels.
Mrs. Gittins failed to slow down for stopped or slowed vehicle traffic ahead her. She swerved to the right to avoid colliding with the vehicles. The Honda entered the #2 blocked travel lane and struck four pedestrian construction workers.
The Honda continued to travel east bound in the construction zone and hit a parked construction truck. Mrs. Gittins was not injured and was wearing her seat belt. The passenger, Mr. Dallas Gittins, age 75, from Fort Bragg, CA was not injured and was wearing his seat belt.
One pedestrian worker, Ms. Vicki Stenovich, age 53, from Spring Creek, died at the scene.
The second pedestrian worker, Mr. Arthur Lucero, age 47, from Gardnerville, NV, was transported to Renown Medical Center in Reno, NV and later passed away.
The third pedestrian worker, Mr. Mario Ramos, age 50, from Reno, NV was transported to Renown Medical Center in Reno and is in stable condition.
The fourth pedestrian worker, Ms. Karen Martin, age 50, from Battle Mountain, NV was transported to the Battle Mountain Hospital with minor injuries.
The pedestrians worked for A-Core.
