Two People Die in Head-On Crash on Highway 208 in Topaz Ranch Estates as Nevada Highway Patrol Investigates

TOPAZ RANCH ESTATES, NV — Two people were killed Friday morning in a head-on crash on Highway 208 in Topaz Ranch Estates, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol. The collision happened around 5:55 a.m. and involved a vehicle that caught fire after the impact.

Douglas County deputies and East Fork firefighters responded to the scene, where emergency crews found two people inside the burning vehicle. One person was flown by East Fork Air 12 to Renown Regional Medical Center.

Emergency crews respond

Officials said the crash took place near State Route 208 and Sleeping Elephant Ranch, west of the intersection with Topaz Ranch Drive. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office assisted Nevada State Police at the scene.

Fire crews and deputies remained on site while investigators worked the fatal traffic collision and traffic was diverted away from the area.

Road closures hit commuters

Temporary closures were put in place Friday as responders cleared the wreck and investigated what happened. Drivers were told to avoid the area and use alternate routes while the scene was active.

The closure affected a roadway that serves the Topaz Ranch Estates area and connects drivers moving through the Carson Valley region.

State police take lead

Any questions about the investigation are being handled by Nevada State Police, which is leading the case. The Record-Courier reported that the Nevada Highway Patrol will be in charge of the inquiry.

Authorities have not released the names of the people involved or said what caused the collision.

Earlier Highway 395 crashes

The Highway 208 crash followed another rough day on nearby Highway 395, where a Thursday afternoon collision at the base of Jake’s Hill shut northbound lanes and sent one person to the hospital, according to reports from the scene.

Earlier Thursday, an overturned semi-truck near Highway 50 also blocked southbound traffic for a time, adding to delays in the area.

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