RENO -- Law enforcement were out in full force trying to make Labor Day a fun and safe day, however, two fatal motorcycle accidents put a damper on the festivities.

Yesterday at around 3 p.m., troopers from Nevada Highway Patrol were dispatched to US50 and Logans Creek Drive for a motorcycle accident. The preliminary investigation indicates a 2004 Red Harley Davidson occupied by two was traveling eastbound on US50, a four-lane highway just east of Logans Creek Drive.

For an unknown reason the Harley Davidson failed to negotiate the bend in the road and exited onto the south dirt shoulder of  US50, collided with culvert warning sign and came to rest on its right side. The passenger 50-year-old Jennifer Lyrea Leonard of South Lake Tahoe was ejected from the motorcycle. The driver, 53-year old, Charles Gilbert Leonard of South Lake Tahoe was air transported via Cal Star to Renown Medical Center.

Trooper Doug Hildebrand of the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) is investigating this tragic event.  Witnesses or anyone with additional information are encouraged to contact him at (775) 721-9034 regarding case number 120903281.

The second accident occurred at around 3:25 p.m. when Troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol were dispatched to an accident involving a motorcycle and motor home at SR431 (Mt. Rose HWY) west of Sky Tavern.  The preliminary investigations indicates that a 2006 Yamaha motorcycle occupied by 66-yeqar-old Patrick M. Zielke of Fallon, was traveling eastbound on Mt. Rose hwy ,a two-lane highway, and 1985 Ford motorhome occupied by 38-year-old, Michael Lee of Anchorage Alaska, was traveling westbound on Mt. Rose hwy.

For an unknown reason the Yamaha crossed the double yellow centerline into the path of the motorhome causing a head-on collision. The driver of the Yamaha sustained fatal injuries.  

The driver of the Ford was uninjured.  

Sergeant Farmer of the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) is investigating this tragic event.  Witnesses or anyone with additional information are encouraged to contact him at (775) 315-1561 regarding case number 120903297.