UPDATE - 12:01PM - NHP says the driver of the Blazer was 18-year-old Matthew H. Simpson of Sparks and his passenger was 17-year-old Carissa Leone. The mother has been identified as 42-year-old Annemarie Simpson of Sparks.
NHP says Simpson sustained very serious injuries while the other three had injuries ranging from very minor to serious.
The driver of the Chrysler was identified by his passport as 22-year-old Ismael Ramirez-Lopez with a possible Reno address.
Troopers are interviewing him with the assistance of an interpreter at the hospital to learn more about the crash and to hopefully determine why he allowed the vehicle he was operating to depart its lane. He is cooperating with investigators.
Witnesses or anyone with additional information should contact him at smorron@dps.state.nv.us or (775) 689-4625 regarding case number NHP-130314329.
UPDATE - 11:30AM - All lanes are now open.
SPARKS, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -- A crash on Interstate 80 eastbound near Sparks Boulevard has caused injuries and is currently blocking one lane of traffic.
According to Trooper Chuck Allen with Nevada Highway Patrol, around 8 this morning, an 18-year-old male driver along with a 17-year-old female passenger were out of gas for their burgundy Chevy Blazer and were parked on the shoulder on I-80 East, immediately west of the Sparks Boulevard off-ramp.
The mother of the 18-year-old male, arrived shortly after with her Lexus SUV and helped her son fill the gas tank of his Blazer. Allen says at that time, another male driver was driving a white Chrysler convertible on I-80 and hit the back of the Lexus SUV that was parked on the shoulder behind the Blazer. The Lexus was pushed into the Blazer and the mother was pinned between both vehicles while trying to run out. The force of the collision knocked the 18-year-old male to the ground.
The 18-year-old male, 17-year-old female, mother and male driver of the convertible were transported to Renown with the mother having the most serious injuries. Her status is unknown at this time.
The #3 traffic lane is blocked.
NHP is still on scene investigating the crash. NHP has given no time as to when they'll open the lane.
