LCSO, WCSO investigating after chase ends in crash

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

The Lyon County and Washoe County sheriff’s offices are investigating following a car chase that ended with shots fired at Lyon County deputies and the suspect’s car on fire in a ditch.

Officials have not yet provided information about the suspect or his condition.

The incident began when a Lyon County deputy reported he was in pursuit of a green Dodge Durango westbound on Interstate 80 near mile marker 46 for a failure to yield shortly before 6 p.m. The chase reached speeds of 85 miles per hour and above, and the suspect exited the freeway at the Wadsworth Exit 43. He then went westbound on Cantlon Drive after attempting to hit a second sheriff’s deputy vehicle head-on.

The suspect’s vehicle crashed into a ditch next to the Truckee River, and he barricaded himself in the vehicle and began firing a weapon through the back window. A deputy reported that the suspect yelled that he’s not going back to jail. The vehicle caught fire and the suspect did not exit the vehicle even as ammunition rounds could be heard firing off. Deputies said they weren’t sure if the suspect was still firing or if flames were causing ammunition to explode.

Firefighters and emergency medical responders were asked to stage at Exit 43 until the scene was secure.

A leak in the vehicle’s fuel tank caused a small brush fire that firefighters were able to put out once they were allowed to the scene.

Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Division assisted with the incident, and because the incident ended in Washoe County, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office was called to assist and detectives were called to the scene.