Man’s survivors to get $75,000 from state in cow-truck accident

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005 | 7:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The widow and child of a man killed when his tow truck hit a cow more than five years ago is going to get a $75,000 settlement from the state.

Gov. Kenny Guinn, chairman of the state Board of Examiners, which approved the settlement, said Monday that procedures "need to be tightened" to prevent a recurrence of the September 2000 accident on U.S. 93 near Wells.

Rusty Wilson, who was living in Littlefield, Ariz., at the time, and his passenger, Gregory Scielakie of Las Vegas, were driving at night when the tow truck struck a cow on the highway.

Stan Miller, who handles tort claims for the state, said the insurance company of the rancher that owned the cow paid a "six-figure" settlement to the Wilson family.

About 24 hours before the accident, a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper saw the cow and notified dispatch. But the trooper was called away to investigate an injury accident. The patrol dispatcher notified the state brand inspector and the rancher, but they were unable to locate the cow.

The investigation said it was unclear whether the dispatcher sent them to the correct location or if the cow moved to a different area.

Guinn said the trooper was in a "catch 22" situation in having to leave for the accident. He said there needs to be a "backup system" to handle these situations.

Miller said an investigation could not find any holes in the fence that the cow may have wandered through.

Scielakie, who was injured in the accident, also has a claim pending against the state.

Cy Ryan may be reached at (775) 687-5032 or at cy@lasvegassun.com