On Monday, Jan. 27, approximately 4:10 a.m., troopers with the Nevada
Highway Patrol responded to a report of a vehicle crash on Interstate 80 (IR80), near mile 64 in Pershing County. This location is approximately 25 miles west of Winnemucca and 8 miles east of Imlay.
Preliminary investigation determined that a green Toyota Highlander sport utility vehicle (SUV) was traveling west on Interstate 80 in the leftmost travel lane. The Toyota traveled off the left side of the highway and entered onto the center median. The driver input steering to the right and the vehicle crossed both westbound travel lanes and ultimately overturned on the outside shoulder of the highway.
Unfortunately, the driver was unrestrained and suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash. The driver was identified as 38-year-old Ricardo Espinoza of North Salt Lake, Utah.
The crash is considered an open investigation and is being investigated by the Nevada Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit. If you were a witness to this incident, or have any information regarding the crash, please contact the NHP Elko Office at 775-753-1111 or e-mail ncemirt@dps.state.nv.us
2025 year to date: Nevada Highway Patrol, Region Three has investigated 3 fatal crashes resulting in 3 fatalities.
2025 fatalities data is preliminary and may change/be updated based on final investigation and coroner reports