Suspect dies after pursuit ends in crash

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

A suspect who led Lyon County Sheriff’s deputies and Nevada State Police troopers on a lengthy chase through Fernley Sunday evening died after he crashed his truck and was pulled from the burning vehicle by deputies,

According to LCSO, the chase started after deputies were dispatched to a report that the suspect failed to stop at multiple stop signs and almost struck pedestrians and other vehicles while driving erratically. The witness who reported the suspect also said the driver was at a local gas station, appeared intoxicated and was purchasing more alcohol, then sped off after peeling out and “smoking” the tires on his vehicle.

Nevada State Police located the suspect vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the suspect fled, and the pursuit began. LCSO deputies joined and took lead on the pursuit a short time later.

Deputies said they saw the suspect’s vehicle collide with multiple vehicles in the Fernley area and nearly hit several others. They said the suspect was driving at more than 100 miles per hour through light traffic conditions. Deputies said they tried several times to stop the suspect’s truck, to no avail.

At one point, the suspect rammed a deputy’s patrol vehicle, and a collision between the suspect’s vehicle and a patrol vehicle was captured on a resident’s Ring camera, disabling the deputy’s vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle was not disabled during this collision, and he fled the area.

Other deputies continued trying to stop the suspect, following him eastbound on Newlands Drive near Nevada Pacific Boulevard. The suspect continued past the end of the pavement onto the unmaintained portion of the road, through a narrow stretch between heavy construction equipment.

Deputies backed off the pursuit, continuing from safer distance. A short time later, they saw the suspect vehicle roll into a cloud of dust, and when they approached, they found the vehicle sitting upright on all four tires, with smoke and flames coming from it.

Deputies removed the suspect from the flaming vehicle in an attempt to save his life. They performed lifesaving efforts, including CPR until North Lyon County Fire Department personnel arrived and took over. They also worked to put out the fire and were able to prevent the fire from spreading.

Ultimately, lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful and the suspect was confirmed dead at the scene.

LCSO says the suspect was the lone occupant of the vehicle, but they did not release his identity.

One deputy was evaluated for minor injuries stemming from this incident and another was evaluated for bio-hazard contamination after removing the suspect from the flaming vehicle.

The Nevada State Police is investigating the incident and the numerous crashes, and the Storey County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the coroner investigation into the suspect’s death.

Anyone who has information regarding this incident, suffered damage to personal property witnessed something that may be pertinent to this incident is asked to contact the Nevada State Police or the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center at 775-463-6620.