Douglas County crash claims life of 70-year-old woman

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) has released the name of the 70-year-old woman killed in a Feb. 28 crash on US-395 south of Johnson Lane in Minden.

At 9:02 p.m., NHP troopers responded to the serious injury crash involving three people in two vehicles.

The NHP's preliminary investigation shows a red 2007 Toyota Tacoma was traveling northbound on US-395 approaching Johnson Lane at a high rate of speed and, according to witnesses, driving recklessly. The Tacoma struck the rear of a blue 1995 Toyota 4Runner. The 4Runner overturned several times, ejecting the front passenger who was not wearing a seatbelt.

The front passenger of the 4Runner, Laura Staugaard of Dayton, was declared deceased at the scene.

The driver of the Tacoma was transported via CareFlight from the crash. Their condition is unknown at this time.

According to NHP Trooper Hannah DeGoey, impairment of the Tacoma driver is suspected. Per NHP protocol, arrests aren’t made until the Major Incident Response Team (MIRT) has been completed.