Driver killed as trucks collide

Rebecca Malone

Friday, May 25, 2001 | 11:02 a.m.

One man was killed in an accident Thursday afternoon two miles south of Searchlight on U.S. 95.

Trooper Dan Solow of the Nevada Highway Patrol said it appeared the accident occurred when a driver of a truck hauling asphalt who was traveling southbound on U.S. 95 lost control of the vehicle, crossed the center line and struck a cement truck that was the heading northbound.

The driver of the asphalt truck, owned by Silver Butte Construction, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred about 2:15 p.m.

The Clark County Coroner's office declined to release his name early today noting that positive identification through fingerprints was pending.

The accident forced the closure of parts of U.S. 95 for more than four hours.

Kevin Martin, who was driving the CTI cement truck involved in the wreck, was taken by helicopter to the University Medical Center. Martin was not seriously injured and was released.

Ron Manney, maintenance supervisor for CTI, said Martin called the office after the accident and told them that he believed the asphalt truck blew a tire.

Both trucks appeared totaled and had to be towed from the scene.

Steve McClintock, rural coordinator for Clark County, said he believes the trucks were traveling about 65 to 70 mph.