8 Idaho residents killed in Nevada traffic accident

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Pat McGill said there were no survivors when a northbound Isuzu Trooper crossed the center line and struck an oncoming Pontiac Grand Prix late Friday night.

The Isuzu driver, Julia Hatch, 29, of Boise, was killed along with her husband, Noel, 24, and their two children, Nicholas, 3, and Zachary, 2-months-old.

The Pontiac driver, Timothy Smith, 32, of Mountain Home, was killed along with passengers Ronnie Carpentier, 44, of Mountain Home, Melanie Burton, 27, of Wilder, and Carolyn Hamilton-Vaughan, 33, of Caldwell.

McGill said troopers can't recall a deadlier accident in Nevada.

"I've been a trooper here 17 years and I don't remember that many people killed in one wreck," he said. "No one around here can recall anything so bad. It's just a terrible tragedy."

Open containers of alcohol were found in the Pontiac, but it's unknown if alcohol played a role in the 10:25 p.m. accident, McGill said.

The cause of the accident 67 miles north of Winnemucca is under investigation. There was no sign of braking before the collision.

McGill said Mrs. Hatch was the only adult wearing a seat belt. The two children were in child-restraint devices, but it's unclear whether the devices were properly secured, he said.

The accident shut down the highway near the Idaho line for more than six hours.

The victims were taken to a Winnemucca funeral home, where funeral arrangements were pending.

Winnemucca is located on Interstate 80 about 160 miles northeast of Reno.

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