2 dead in bizarre road rage crashes on I-80 west of Reno

RENO — The Nevada Highway Patrol is investigating a bizarre road rage incident that left two California men dead after they were struck by vehicles on Interstate 80 just west of Reno near the California-Nevada line.

The patrol identified the victims Tuesday as 37-year-old Jaime Ramirez of Woodland and 30-year-old Jarred Johnson of Truckee.

Investigators say both were headed west on I-80 when the incident began about 10 p.m. Thursday west of Reno.

Ramirez was driving a white 2015 Mercedes-Benz sedan that rear-ended Johnson's black 2004 GMC Sierra pickup, which struck the guardrail near Gold Ranch Road in Verdi.

A physical altercation ensued before Ramirez got into Johnson's pickup and took off eastbound in the westbound travel lanes. The front of the pickup struck Johnson, who later was declared dead at the scene.

The patrol says Ramirez then exited the pickup and attempted to carjack several other vehicles before he jumped over the guardrail along the interstate median.

He proceeded down the embankment and entered the number one travel lane of eastbound I-80 where he was hit by a silver 2003 Dodge Ram pickup. He too was declared dead at the scene.

The name of the third driver has not been released. The incident remains under investigation.