Snow showers continue in wake of deadly storm

Tom Gardner

Thursday, April 1, 1999 | 9:48 a.m.

RENO, Nev. -- Light snow continued falling today in the Sierra and across northern Nevada in the wake of a deadly storm that ended March with a roar as it swept across the region.

Three people were killed in a head-on collision on U.S. 93 about 40 miles south of Wells in an accident the Nevada Highway Patrol attributed to driving too fast for the icy conditions.

And Interstate-80 was closed most of the night by a 25-vehicle pileup near Gold Run, Calif., about midway between Reno and Sacramento. The wreckage, including at least two big rigs, was cleared before daybreak, but the California Highway Patrol said conditions remained very hazardous.

The early spring storm dumped up to 2 feet of snow in the mountains and 2-4 inches in the U.S. 395 corridor along the Sierra from Reno south through Minden.

Roads were passable in the mountains, but chains or snow tires were required much of Wednesday. U.S. 50 was closed over Echo Summit in California at times for avalanche control, as was the Mount Rose Highway.

Chains or snow tires were required in the valleys as well, where treacherous roads produced numerous accidents, including rollovers. The 10-minute drive through Washoe Valley north of Carson City took an hour, with spinouts littering the median.

"Just because it's March 31 doesn't mean that winter's over," Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Jeff Leathley said. "You got northern Nevada, the high mountainous area we have, winter comes any month of the year."

The NHP investigated more than 20 accidents and had to call the Washoe County sheriff's office after one of its patrol cars was involved in a non-injury accident.

Trooper Jack Peelers was investigating a non-injury accident on I-80 east of Sparks when a pickup slid into his vehicle.

In all, more than 50 accidents were reported in the Reno-Carson City area. Elko had some 20 accidents as the storm moved eastward and had to call in ambulances from McGill after exhausting rescuers and resources in Elko, Carlin and Wells.

The chance of light, scattered snow showers was to continue into the weekend, accompanied by unseasonably chilly temperatures with lows tonight in the teens and low 20s and highs today and Friday struggling to reach the 40s.