The Nevada Highway Patrol has identified the three Grass Valley, California residents involved in the single vehicle rollover crash that happened yesterday morning around 7:24 am which killed one of the occupants.

18-year-old Taylor S. Barney died at the scene after he was ejected from the back seat of a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was driven by 18-year-old Kevin A. Mass.

Mr. Mass was driving his 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound on Interstate 80, approximately 19 miles east of Fernley, when he allowed his SUV to drift toward the center median.  He over-corrected the vehicle’s steering to the right and then to the left before over-correcting the steering to the right once more.  The vehicle entered a broadside skid before rolling over several times and came to rest on its right side blocking the right travel lane.

Mr. Mass and the third occupant riding in the vehicle, 19-year-old Max Talbott, were both wearing seat belts and each sustained minor injuries and were transported to RenownRegionalMedicalCenter by ground ambulance.  No other vehicles were involved and alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.

As a result of the crash, the westbound portion of the freeway and traffic was diverted into the left lane around the scene for several hours by Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) personnel. 

The Major Accident Investigation Team or M.A.I.T. is investigating the crash and anyone with information is encouraged to call Trooper Eric Gallagher at (775) 689-4661 or the Department of Public Safety-Communications Center @ (775) 687-0400 regarding case number NHP-111123205.