Accident claims two from Silver Springs

Officials are seeking witnesses to an accident that killed a 15-year-old Silver Springs teen and his stepmother four miles south of Fernley Friday.

Dale Drayer, 15, and Joann Scott, 41, died Friday at about 3:50 p.m. on Highway 95A, just south of the Reno/Fernley Race Way, said Trooper Scott Farmer of the Nevada Highway Patrol.

A preliminary investigation revealed Scott's 1993 Saturn sedan was northbound when she lost control and drove onto the east shoulder of the road.

Farmer said as Scott attempted to regain control, she overcorrected, sending her car into the path of a southbound 1995 Mercury sedan driven by Lucille Stinchfield of Reno.

Stinchfield, 47, was transported to Washoe Medical Center, treated, and released. Two unnamed passengers in Stinchfield's vehicle were also treated there, Farmer said.

He said it is unclear what caused Scott to lose control. However, NHP is investigating whether she had tried to pass another vehicle.

A 60-foot skid mark indicated Stinchfield saw the impending accident and tried to stop, Farmer said.

At the time of impact, he believes the Mercury had slowed to about 20 mph, but Scott's vehicle was going at least 55 mph.

"It was like hitting a brick wall," he said.

Farmer said there were no witnesses to the accident who have come forward. He asks anyone who may have seen it to call the Nevada Highway Patrol at 688-2500.

"Exactly what was (Scott's) vehicle doing prior to the collision?" he asked. "We'd like to answer all the questions."