Patrol checks for cause of U.S. 95 crash that killed four

Friday, Oct. 2, 1998 | 11:32 a.m.

Just what made 21-year-old Jaime Jean Ericsson swerve into oncoming traffic causing her death and the deaths of three others just south of Beatty Wednesday afternoon is still under investigation according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Ericsson was headed north on U.S. 95 when she moved into oncoming traffic in the southbound lane, causing the accident about 90 miles northeast of Las Vegas that held up traffic for several hours Wednesday afternoon.

"She could have drifted over because she fell asleep or wasn't paying attention," NHP Trooper Scott Flabi said.

Troopers also found some journal writings in Ericsson's car that Flabi said painted the picture of a very depressed person. Flabi said suicide is another possible cause for the accident, but he stressed that the investigation is continuing and nothing has been concretely identified as a cause.

Ericsson's car struck a van traveling southbound carrying six people, three of which were killed.

James Phipps, 64, Bettie Phipps Craig, 63, and another woman who has not been positively identified all died at the scene.

The other three passengers, Wood Craig, Robert Norris and Ann Marie Norris, were all taken to University Medical Center where they remain in stable condition. Ages were unavailable on the three patients.