Reno, NV (March 16, 2026) – A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper was injured on Saturday night, March 14, in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 80 near downtown Reno. The incident occurred just after 9:15 p.m. on Interstate 80 East, just East of Virginia Street.
According to preliminary reports, the trooper was traveling east when a woman driving a Subaru entered the highway the wrong way and collided with the patrol car. Both the trooper and the Subaru driver were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities indicated that impairment is suspected as a factor in the crash.
The Nevada Highway Patrol Major Incident Reconstruction Team is investigating the circumstances of the collision.
Our thoughts are with those injured as they receive medical care.
How Wrong-Way Crashes Are Investigated
Wrong-way crashes are particularly dangerous because vehicles often collide head-on at high speeds. Investigators typically review traffic camera footage, vehicle positions, and roadway conditions to determine how a vehicle entered the wrong direction and what contributed to the crash.
Alcohol or drug impairment is a common factor in these incidents. Authorities also examine speed, signage, and driver actions to reconstruct the event. A prompt response is critical to treating injuries, securing the scene, and preventing further collisions on the highway.
