JESSUP, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -Mary Ryan was the music and band teacher at Pershing County High School and grade school. Chuck Allen of the Nevada Highway Patrol confirmed that there were some musical instruments including a drum, found in her car. 47-year-old David D. Lillie has been charged with reckless driving causing the death of Mrs. Ryan, hit and run, and driving under the influence of drugs causing death. Lillie is still in custody this morning with a total bail of $600,000 dollars.
The crash occurred yesterday evening at approximately 7:21 pm, troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol were dispatched to a crash involving two vehicles that happened on Interstate 80 near the Jessup interchange in Churchill County, approximately 30 miles east of Fernley.
The preliminary crash investigation details indicate the driver of a 1998 blue Ford Windstar van, 47-year-old David D. Lillie of West Yellowstone, Montana, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 in the right travel lane. Mr. Lillie’s van was approaching the rear of another eastbound vehicle traveling just ahead of him, a red 1997 Toyota Tercel 2-door sedan driven by 56-year-old Mary E. Ryan of Lovelock. The front of the Ford van struck the rear of the Toyota sedan. The force of the collision forced the Toyota to travel into the center median where it rolled over and came to rest on its roof. Ms Ryan sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lillie attempted to flee in his vehicle and eventually stopped approximately a half-mile east of the crash scene. The driver of a commercial motor vehicle who witnessed the crash followed the errant driver and flashed his truck’s lights until Mr. Lillie pulled over onto the right paved shoulder and stopped. He received minor injuries in the collision and displayed signs of drug impairment. Mr. Lillie was transported to Banner Churchill Community Hospital in Fallon by ground ambulance where he was treated and medically released a short time later. Upon being medically cleared, he was placed under arrest by our agency and taken to the Churchill County Detention Facility where he was booked for reckless driving causing death, hit and run from a fatality accident, and driving under the influence of drugs causing death. He is still in custody this morning with a total bail of $600,000 dollars.
The Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating this tragic event and witnesses or anyone with additional information are encouraged to call Trooper Dan Gordon or Trooper Eric Gallagher at (775) 689-4661 regarding case # NHP-111204841.
