Wrong-way driver causes U.S. 95 pile-up

Cathy Scott

Tuesday, July 2, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

A woman turned her vehicle into oncoming traffic on U.S. 95 in Henderson, causing a four-car pile-up in which a tractor-trailer rig burst into flames, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Apparently despondent over causing the accident, 60-year-old Itoko Gould of Henderson stabbed and slashed herself in the abdomen with a kitchen knife as paramedics tried to rescue her from her 1989 Chevrolet pickup, said NHP Trooper Steve Harney.

Gould was in critical condition at University Medical Center's trauma unit, a nursing supervisor said.

"We're not sure what reason (Gould) veered into the path of the tractor-trailer rig," Harney said, noting that Henderson Police were investigating.

The 10:15 a.m. Tuesday accident occurred when Gould took the College Drive on-ramp onto southbound U.S. 95 and drove into the path of a tractor rig pulling two trailers. The driver, James Fechtig, 47, of Chandler, Ariz., hit the brakes, causing one trailer to slam into the concrete center divider, which sent concrete blocks flying into oncoming traffic.

A 1995 rented Ford sedan, driven by Terry Sensabaugh, 47, headed underneath the first trailer, while the second trailer swung out and struck a 1993 Chevrolet pickup driven by David Chaney, 54, of Boulder City. The rig then slammed into Gould's pickup.

As the chain-reaction collisions were occurring, the rig burst into flames, causing extensive damage to the cab, Harney said.

The rig driver was able to get out safely. Fechtig suffered second- and third-degree burns and was treated at University Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.

It could have been worse, Harney said, but for the quick thinking of Charlie Elms, who was driving northbound in an MS Concrete truck with a water tanker. Elms spotted the fire, pulled over at the center divider and hosed down the flames.

Firefighters arrived a few minutes later and finished extinguishing the fire, Harney said.

"Because of his quick thinking, what could have been a fatal accident ended up being an injury accident," Harney said.

Sensabaugh and his wife, Shana, 44, of Irondale, Mo., were taken to University Medical Center where they were treated for minor injuries.

The roadway, closed during the investigation and cleanup, was reopened about 3:30 p.m., Harney said.