Baby still in hospital after Sunday wreck

RENO - A Fallon infant remained hospitalized Monday following a Sunday accident in which his father was killed.

One-year-old David Alexander Penn is being treated at Washoe Medical Center, but his status was not available, said Alexia Bratios, medical center spokeswoman.

According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, the child was a passenger in a 1999 Ford sedan being driven by his father, David V. Penn, 35, of Fallon. Trooper J. Winchester said when the elder Penn tried to change lanes at 3:24 p.m., he lost control and slammed into two power poles at the edge of the road two miles west of Fallon on Highway 50.

David V. Penn was pronounced dead at Banner Churchill Community Hospital about 6 p.m.

David Alexander Penn and passenger, 22-year-old Matthew Nergaard, were taken by helicopter to Washoe Medical Center. The boy's head injuries were described by Winchester as "life-threatening." Nergaard was treated and released, Bratios said.

Neither the elder Penn, nor Nergaard were wearing seat belts. The baby was strapped into a car seat, Winchester said.

He said an investigation into the accident is ongoing and that alcohol may have been a factor.