The victim-driver of an alcohol-related head-on collision that happened last month, 51-one-year-old Reiko Hervin of Wellington, passed away at Renown Regional Medical Center yesterday afternoon.
On Sunday evening, November 6th, at approximately 6:41 pm, Ms. Hervin was driving her silver 2006 Toyota Scion sedan east on State Route 208 in Douglas County, a two-lane highway where the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour. Traveling in the opposite direction was a white 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cab pickup, driven by 34-year-old Jon E. McElhaney of Gardnerville. There were also 3 passengers riding in the truck with McElhaney. Additionally, the pickup was towing a two-axle flat bed trailer carrying a 1978 Jeep CJ-5 and inside the bed of the truck was a large 4-wheel all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
Mr. McElhaney allowed the truck to drift off the right roadway edge when he attempted to navigate back onto the pavement. The trailer uncoupled from the pickup and traveled into the opposing lane directly into the path of Ms Hervin’s vehicle. When the trailer and the Toyota sedan collided, the Jeep separated from the trailer and rolled over the top of Ms. Hervin’s sedan. The Dodge pickup stopped near the shoulder and did not strike anything and all four occupants escaped injury.
Ms. Hervin sustained serious injuries in the collision and was transported to Reno Regional Medical Center from the scene by Care Flight. She passed away at 1:20 pm yesterday afternoon. On the evening of the crash, Mr. McElhaney completed and failed a series of field sobriety tests at the crash scene and was placed under arrest for felony DUI causing substantial bodily harm. He was transported to the Douglas County Jail where he was booked. He has since posted bail and has been released.
As a reminder, especially with the holiday season and the New Year rapidly approaching, please plan your celebrations and parties safely and responsibly and never drink and drive. In our profession, we see far too many alcohol-related crashes that devastate families and change lives forever. Whenever alcohol is involved, always designate a safe and sober driver in advance or utilize public transportation.