Fatal US-395 Crash South of Doyle After Risky Passing Maneuver Closes Highway and Sends Two to Reno Hospital

DOYLE, CA — A serious crash on US-395 south of Doyle on Sunday afternoon killed a motorcyclist and shut down part of the highway for hours. The collision happened around 2:45 p.m. on May 17, 2026, after a Subaru driver tried to pass a slower truck tractor in the northbound lane.

The motorcycle rider, who was traveling northbound, was hit in the impact and thrown from the bike. The rider suffered major injuries and died at the scene.

How the crash unfolded

Authorities said Johnney Mixon, 84, of Reno was driving a 2025 Subaru southbound when he moved into the opposing lane to pass. The Subaru struck the motorcycle during that maneuver.

After the collision, the Subaru went off the west side of the road and caught fire. The sequence left emergency crews dealing with both the fatal crash and the vehicle fire at the same scene.

Bystanders helped the occupants

People nearby stopped to assist the occupants of the Subaru and helped them get out of the vehicle after the fire started. Emergency responders then transported the occupants by ground ambulance to Renown Medical Center in Reno.

Officials did not release additional details about their condition in the source report. The crash remained under investigation in the immediate aftermath.

Highway closure and detour

The crash forced authorities to close US-395 while they handled the emergency response and cleaned up the scene. Traffic was diverted onto Constantia Road during the closure.

By 8:00 p.m., fire crews had finished extinguishing the vehicle fire, and one-way traffic control was in place on US-395. That allowed vehicles to begin moving through the area again, though slowly.

What drivers should know

The wreck is a reminder of how quickly a passing attempt can turn deadly on a two-way highway. In this case, one risky lane change led to a fatal motorcycle crash, a burning car, and a prolonged road closure.

Drivers traveling through the Doyle area should expect delays when emergency crews are working active incidents and should follow posted traffic control instructions. No further updates were provided in the source report.

TNSO covers California, Nevada, and Arizona as the story unfolds.