Collision kills two near Dayton

An accident Sunday morning in Dayton claimed the lives of two people.

Mark Joseph Whitney, 26, of Silver Springs and a unidentified 65-year-old Yerington man both died at the scene of the head-on collision on Highway 50, three miles east of Dayton near Kelsey Court.

The accident shut down a quarter-mile stretch of highway for five hours.

According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, preliminary reports show Whitney was eastbound at approximately 7:45 a.m. when his 1969 Buick two-door crossed the double yellow line.

Another vehicle was able to avoid a collision by swerving to the right. Whitney's vehicle then slammed into a 2002 Toyota Pickup driven by the Yerington man and also carrying passenger Beverly Bilge, 62, of Brentwood, Calif.

The left front of the Buick struck the left front of the Toyota.

"They didn't have time to react," NHP Trooper Patrick McGill said.

Speeds of both vehicles were estimated at 50-plus mph when the collision occurred. All three victims had to be extracted from the vehicles.

Bilge is listed in fair condition at Washoe Medical Center.

Speeds were estimated at 50 plus miles per hour.

McGill said Whitney was returning home from work when the accident occurred. Fatigue may be a factor.

All those involved were wearing their seat belts, McGill said.