Freak accident claims deputy’s life

Saturday, Nov. 29, 1997 | 3:48 a.m.

Sheriff Neil Harris said Travis Maki, 32, was placing flares on an Interstate 80 overpass at Deeth, 36 miles east of Elko, when he jumped out of the way of an oncoming truck.

Maki apparently didn't realize he was on an overpass because of thick fog, and he fell over a concrete wall 65 feet to his death, Harris said. He landed head first and was killed instantly.

Other officers at first thought Maki had been struck by the truck, but a subsequent investigation found he wasn't hit. Officers searched about 15 minutes before they found his body along railroad tracks below.

Maki was one of the first officers to arrive at the scene of the 2:55 a.m. accident. An eastbound vehicle towing another vehicle jack-knifed on icy I-80, prompting him to put flares on the nearby overpass for traffic control.

Maki was a 10-year department veteran who was recently promoted to sergeant. He was single with no children.

Harris said Maki was well respected by other officers and his force was taking the death hard.

The accident is under investigation by the Nevada Highway Patrol.

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