Fatal crash on I80 near Carlin claims life of Elko man


An Elko man is dead following an accident last week outside of Carlin. 

According to officials with the Nevada Highway Patrol, on Wednesday, July 31, at approximately 2:12 p.m., NHP troopers responded to a fatal crash on Interstate 80 at mile marker 279, near the junction with State Route 278.

The crash site is located one mile west of the Central Carlin exit.

According to officials with NHP, the preliminary investigation revealed that a white 2014 Toyota Highlander SUV was traveling east on I-80 in the leftmost eastbound travel lane. 

The driver failed to maintain the travel lane, causing the vehicle to veer off the left side of the roadway. 

In an attempt to correct his path, the driver over-steered to the right, causing the vehicle to cross both eastbound travel lanes and ultimately overturn on the outside shoulder.

The driver, identified as 34-year-old Dennis Kunz of Elko, was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. 

He sustained fatal injuries as a result of the ejection. 

The other occupants of the Toyota were transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident remains an open investigation and is being handled by the Nevada Highway Patrol Northern Command East Multi-Disciplinary Investigation and Reconstruction Team (M.I.R.T.). 

Officials urge anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact the NHP Elko Office at (775) 753-1111 or email ncemirt@dps.state.nv.us.

As of this incident, Nevada Highway Patrol Northern Command East has investigated 21 fatal crashes resulting in 28 fatalities in 2024. 

This data is preliminary and may be updated based on final investigation and coroner reports.