WINNEMUCCA — A local resident was killed in a nine-vehicle pileup on Interstate 80 east of Fernley on Friday (Nov. 20).   According to Trooper Chuck Allen, of the Nevada Highway Patrol, Susan Carol Sakurada, 52, was killed and Donn Sakurada, 54, was injured in the collisions.  Although the investigation is still in the preliminary stages, NHP investigators believe the pickup truck with the Sakuradas crashed into the back of a semi truck.  The driver of the semi may have stopped in order to avoid another collision in front of him on the Interstate. The pickup truck with the Sakuradas was then struck from behind by another semi, according to NHP. 

According to Allen, “…strong winds and blowing dust and dirt produced very low to zero visibility conditions” at the time of the collisions.  “We believe there may be as many as four separate crashes that took place in a very short time frame ..,” Allen noted.  In total seven people were injured and one was killed.  The accidents are being investigated by troopers from the Major Accident and Investigation Team who are working to determine the chain of events leading to the pileup.