A tractor-trailer rig heading to Oklahoma with a load of women's clothing ended up on its side blocking both lanes of Highway 50 East in front of the Stagecoach Market Tuesday.
The accident happened around noon, said Trooper Blair Harkleroad of the Nevada Highway Patrol, when truck driver Garth Fisher, 42, tried to pass a Ford truck towing a trailer driven by Othon Mata-Morales, 51, of Yerington.
"The semi entered the westbound lane to pass, gets around another vehicle in between, and the Ford attempts to make a left turn in front of the semi," Harkleroad said.
The impact of the collision made it impossible for Mata-Morales to use his breaks, Harkleroad said, and he drove into the desert until the vehicle stopped. Neither driver was injured.
Fisher, who said he was heading to Oklahoma from Chico after stopping in Carson City to visit his daughter and grandchild, said he had no idea the Ford was going to turn left.
"I'm just sick," said the 23-year truck-driving veteran as he looked at his rig with its front end destroyed.
Fisher's brother Garland Fisher, 38, of Salinas, was taken to Carson-Tahoe Hospital with minor injuries.
"We were going home to surprise my father for Christmas," he said.
Traffic was routed through the parking lot of the Stagecoach Market for about three hours as crews cleared the wreckage.
Fisher was issued a $187 ticket for unsafe passing.
Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.
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