Local man killed in single car accident on Luther Pass

Icy and wet conditions on Highway 89 over Luther Pass on Thursday, June 4 may have been the reason for a single car accident that resulted in the death of a 23-year old Markleville man.

Nathan Hansen, a South Tahoe High graduate, was driving over the summit just north of the Alpine County/El Dorado County line at approximately 1:49 p.m. when he left the roadway and crashed into a large tree.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the roadway at the time had developed some slush-like build up. A preliminary investigation shows Hansen departed the west side of the roadway traveling at an unknown speed when he crashed.

CHP was in the area and arrived at the scene only seconds after the collision. Fire and EMS personnel had to extract Hansen due to the extent of the damage to his vehicle. Hansen was transported to Barton Hospital and then life-flighted to Renown Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

Hansen is the son of local business owner Scot Hansen of Pioneer Appliance Repair and his wife Leticia, a local Mary Kay Consultant.

Nathan is an Army veteran and most recently serviced in South Korea. He had moved back to the area to help his father in the family business.

In another car accident on Highway 89 near Christmas Valley in November of 2006, a then 15-year old Nathan was in his mother's car when it went down an embankment and ended up in the Upper Truckee River. He and his brother went for help and the CHP officer than saved their mother's life received a Governor's Medal of Valor.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 13 at the Life Point Church in Minden. Time of services are unavailable at this time.