Just over an hour later at approximately 5:11pm another accident occurred on Hwy. 88 east of Cat Creek Road. 64 year old Samuel Batdorf of Gardnerville Nevada was driving, according to the CHP report, intoxicated in his 1997 Chevy Monte Carlo west bound on Hwy. 88. According to Officer Scobee’s report when Batdorf came around a curve in the roadway due to his level of intoxication he allowed his vehicle to travel off the north roadway edge. The Chevy subsequently struck a paddle marker and continued on off of the north roadway edge until striking a tree and coming to rest in a ditch. Batdorf had a small cut to left elbow and was arrested for driving under the influence.

On Saturday there were reports of an accident Hwy. 88 west of Hwy. 104, near lower Ridge Road, however when CHP Officer Deborah Zaragoza arrived on scene she discovered that the driver had fled the scene. According to her report at approximately 11pm an unknown driver lost control of a 1993 BMW on the wet roadway causing the vehicle to slide into the right shoulder of the west bound lane of Hwy. 88. The BMW overturned and the came to rest on its roof on top of a barbed wire fence. The driver apparently was able to extricate themselves from the car and fled the scene. The accident is under investigation by the CHP.

Yesterday afternoon at approximately 4:38pm an accident occurred on Hwy. 88 west of lower Ridge Road. It was first reported that it was a 3 vehicles accident but upon local law enforcements arrival it was determined that only 2 vehicles were involved. According to witness’ reports the driver of a small sedan was changing their radio station and veered into the east bound lane of Hwy. 88. The driver of a lifted four wheel drive Chevy pickup truck saw the sedan drifting into eastbound lane and tried to avoid an accident by moving to the edge of the roadway. However, it was too late and the sedan collided with the rear tire and was lodged under the truck. Both vehicles were badly damaged, but the drivers were wearing their seatbelts and neither driver was injured. The highway was closed for approximately 20 minutes. This afternoon’s accident is a reminder that an accident can occur in a matter of seconds and to pay close attention to the roadway and to be aware of your surroundings while driving.

Also on Hwy. 88 yesterday afternoon the west bound lane of traffic was closed near the CDF Dew Drop Station as a hay truck tipped spilling its load of hay. The westbound lane of hwy. 88 was blocked for a short time as crews worked to clear the lanes from the hay debris.