One dead, three hurt in crash blocking Highway 50

Friday, Sept. 17, 1999 | 9:39 a.m.

Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman Tony Almarez said the truck's brakes apparently failed late afternoon Thursday as it was driving downhill on U.S. 50, about two miles from the junction with U.S. 395 in Carson City.

The truck missed a runaway truck ramp and crashed, going over a median barrier and hitting an oncoming pickup truck and two motorcycles. The truck's load of grapes and blueberries was dumped on the road. The truck burst into flames, killing the man driving it.

The motorcyclists went over their handlebars and landed so deep in the fruit that they had to be dug out. The three injured motorists were taken to Washoe Medical Center in Reno with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Highway Patrol.

Authorities did not immediately release the names of the truck driver or any of the people who were injured.

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