Winds wreak havoc in valley

Karen Zekan

Friday, March 29, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

A Los Angeles man whose head was crushed by his own car was in critical condition today after one of three local freeway crashes linked to heavy winds.

The Nevada Highway Patrol said John Guy Anderson, 49, was probably driving about 75 mph, exceeding the 70 mph speed limit, around 1:30 p.m. Thursday when he lost control of his 1995 Ford sedan on northbound Interstate 15, about 10 miles north of the California border.

It appeared that Anderson tried to change lanes and lost control of his car, Trooper Steve Harney said.

Skid marks reflected Anderson's unsuccessful efforts to regain control, but the car flipped several times, ejecting Anderson and his wife, Carolyn Bannister-Anderson, 46. The two were not wearing seat belts, Harney said.

"The car landed on top of Mr. Anderson's head," Harney said. "There is a possibility that he may have been attempting to change lanes when the accident happened. The wind could have blown him off course."

Anderson suffered critical head injuries. Bannister-Anderson was also in critical condition today at University Medical Center.

Traffic was backed up for 2 1/2 miles in both directions, delaying motorists for about four hours, Harney said.

Winds gusting in excess of 55 mph were blowing through the valley when the Andersons crashed, about the same time a second rollover occurred near mile marker 5 along southbound I-15.

The vehicle's unidentified occupants suffered minor to moderate injuries, Harney said. An NHP report on the crash was pending.

Meanwhile, gusts kicking a thick curtain of dirt across the freeway caused one driver to slow along northbound I-15 at the California-Nevada state line when he couldn't see beyond his car's hood, Harney said.

Within seconds, the unidentified driver was rear-ended by two cars. No injuries were reported.

Freeway traffic was backed up in both directions for more than an hour as a result.

At 12:06 p.m. Thursday, Jill Schmidt, 25, of Las Vegas was traveling on a moped southbound on Koval Lane behind the Sands Expo and Convention Center when a strong gust blew her into the concrete median. The moped hit the ground and Schmidt struck a small sign.

Schmidt was in critical condition at UMC with a closed head injury, broken leg and spine fractures, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The winds also exacerbated allergy problems by kicking up dust and mulberry pollen. Gusts also toppled carports, patio covers and light poles. Traces of rain were recorded in some parts of the valley.

The National Weather Service said the winds should dissipate this afternoon, varying between 5 and 15 mph tonight. Saturday will be partly cloudy with a high in the low 70s.