Wrong way driver crashes into trooper on I-80

A 19-year-old driver is in the Washoe County Jail after causing an early morning crash on I-80 in Sparks, Nevada. Driving a 1966 Chevrolet pickup, the male driver entered I-80 westbound travelling in the wrong direction around 2:00 a.m. on Friday, September 13. He was driving directly into oncoming

A 19-year-old driver is in the Washoe County Jail after causing an early morning crash on I-80 in Sparks, Nevada. Driving a 1966 Chevrolet pickup, the male driver entered I-80 westbound travelling in the wrong direction around 2:00 a.m. on Friday, September 13. He was driving directly into oncoming traffic in the fast lane.

Close to Rock Boulevard, the driver struck a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper, and then kept on going. He then struck a commercial truck near the Pyramid Way off-ramp, yet still continued travelling in the wrong direction. He came to an eventual stop in the median to the east of Pyramid. The trooper was taken to the hospital for minor injuries. The driver of the big rig was unharmed.

The suspect has been charged with minor in consumption, which carries a jail sentence of up to six months and a fine of up to $1,000. Other charges include driving under the influence causing substantial bodily harm, duty to stop at the scene of a crash involving injury, driving on right half of road required and reckless driving. All combined, the intoxicated driver could be facing months, if not years, of jail time, as well as significant fines.

A person who has been injured in a car accident involving an intoxicated driver may need to get more information about personal injury legal options. Especially when expensive medical bills are involved, an injured party should be compensated for financial losses. Other damages to be awarded might include emotional and punitive damages.