Fallon boy improving at hospital after being struck by car on highway

A 12-year-old Fallon boy remained in serious but stable condition Thursday at Washoe Medical Center where he underwent surgery after being hit by a car on the Reno Highway Wednesday night, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Daniel Phipps was struck near Skip's Market, three miles west of Fallon, at 6:13 p.m. as he crossed the busy highway.

NHP Trooper Joe Winchester said Daniel was hit by a 1988 Toyota driven by Pamela Smith, 35, of Fallon. She was traveling eastbound in the fast lane when she saw the boy crossing the street where there is no pedestrian crosswalk, Winchester said.

"Mrs. Smith applied brakes and veered to the left and slid. The right front of the vehicle struck the pedestrian," according to the NHP trooper.

He said the boy suffered serious head injuries from the collision. He was transported by ambulance to Banner Churchill Community Hospital before being transported to the Reno hospital by Care Flight.

"He had surgery to release pressure from severe head injuries," Winchester said.

The victim lives in the Sage Valley Trailer Park, formerly the Hub Totel RV Park, and was crossing northbound from Skip's to home.

Smith was not cited, the NHP said.

"Speed was not a factor in this crash. The fact that the boy was crossing a major highway in a dark area with no crosswalk was a factor," Winchester said.

The trooper said Daniel woke up Thursday morning and recognized his parents, and asked to go to the bathroom, signs that his condition is improving.

Witnesses who called 911 after the accident told authorities the boy was lying in the middle of the road and motorists had to swerve to miss him, according to police radio transmissions.

Fallon police officers closed down major intersections along the Reno Highway so the ambulance could get to the hospital faster.

One of Daniel's friends said donation cans are being placed in Fallon businesses to help the family with travel costs to and from the hospital. Daniel is expected to remain in the hospital for about seven days, the boy said.

-- Contact reporter Marlene Garcia at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com.