A late afternoon drive over Lamoille Summit turned deadly Wednesday when two vehicles slammed head-on along State Route 227 south of Elko, killing both drivers and mangling the cars so badly that rescue crews had to cut victims from the wreckage.
The crash was reported around 4:30 p.m. near the summit. One driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was taken by ambulance to Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital and later died, according to investigators.
Victims identified, preliminary probe points to crossover
Troopers with the Nevada Highway Patrol later identified the drivers as 31-year-old Levi Allen Powers and 28-year-old Andrew Tyler Allen, both from Spring Creek. A preliminary investigation indicates a black Volkswagen Passat crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a white Ford F-150, according to KLAS 8 News Now.
Rescue response and where the injured were taken
Elko County Fire crews worked to extricate occupants from the twisted metal at the scene. One driver was rushed by ground ambulance to Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. No other injuries were reported in the collision, and state troopers say the investigation remains open.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have seen the crash or has information about what happened to contact the Nevada Highway Patrol's Elko office at (775) 753-1111 or email [email protected], according to 2 News.
Where this fits into statewide totals
Nevada Highway Patrol's central command has recorded 15 fatal crashes resulting in 16 deaths so far this year, according to data troopers shared with local media. The site of Wednesday's wreck sits on a narrow, two-lane mountain stretch roughly 415 miles north of Las Vegas, a section troopers warn can turn deadly when drivers drift into oncoming traffic, per KLAS 8 News Now.
Investigation continues
Nevada Highway Patrol investigators say their work on the case is still underway, and they have not publicly released further details about what caused the Passat to cross the center line.
Troopers are again urging anyone with dash-cam video, eyewitness accounts, or other information that could help piece together the moments before impact to contact the NHP Elko office at (775) 753-1111 or email [email protected], according to 2 News.
