NHP continues to investigate July 30 crash near Cave Rock where toddler died

The Nevada Highway Patrol continues to investigate a fatal July 30 crash on Highway 50 east of Cave Rock at Lake Tahoe in which a 3-year-old toddler died.

The three-vehicle accident happened shortly before 9 p.m. and involved a total of 16 motorists, said NHP Trooper Chuck Allen. The chain of events began when a black 2011 Cadillac SRX4 that was traveling west and driven by 31-year-old Sylvia Hurtado of South Lake Tahoe, Calif., crossed the double-yellow line and sideswiped a black 2008 GMC Yukon with seven passengers traveling east driven by 51-year-old Ross W. King of Centennial, Colo.

The force of the crash caused the Yukon to roll over injuring every person in the vehicle. The Cadillac continued to travel west where it struck the front of a red 2008 Chrysler Town and Country van head-on, driven by 38-year-old Emily Maxfield of Centennial, Colo. Ms. Maxfield had 6 passengers riding in the van and she had been following other family members and friends who were in the Yukon ahead of her.

As a result of the crash and number of people involved, several ambulances and two helicopters were dispatched to the scene for injuries ranging from minor to serious. Three-year-old Caroline M. Maxfield, daughter of Emily Maxfield, was transported by Care Flight from the scene to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. She died from her injuries later that evening at the hospital.

The other person airlifted from the scene was the grandmother of Caroline, Martha Kreutz, also from Centennial. She was flown by Cal Star to Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. All others were either transported from the scene by ambulance to Renown, or self-transported later that evening to be medically evaluated at either Barton Memorial or Renown Regional Medical Center.

All four lanes of the highway were closed in both directions for approximately 90 minutes while troopers completed their on-scene portion of the investigation. A few lanes were cleared around 10:30 pm prior to all four lanes being opened just after midnight.

Witnesses to the crash and anyone with additional information are encouraged to contact Trooper Doug Hildebrand of the Major Accident Investigation Team at (775) 689-4623 or dhildebrand@dps.state.nv.us regarding case number NHP-130702728.