Fallon Fatal Head-On Crash on US 95 Near Paiute Drive Under Investigation

• What We Know About the US 95 Collision South of Paiute Drive
• Where It Happened and Why This Stretch Matters to Fallon
• What Investigators Reported So Far
• Civil Law Considerations After a Centerline Collision in Nevada
• How Families Can Obtain Official Records
• Practical Steps to Protect a Potential Claim
• Interactions With Insurance Companies
• Community Safety Discussion for US 95 and Churchill County
• Resources and Government Contacts
• Commentary from Gosuits Fallon, Nevada Personal Injury Attorney
• Why Timely Action Matters After a Serious Crash

What We Know About the US 95 Collision South of Paiute Drive

On the morning of November 11, at about 9:12 a.m., Nevada Highway Patrol troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 95 just south of Paiute Drive in Fallon. According to initial information shared with local media, a 2024 Dodge Hornet traveling south on US 95 crossed the centerline into the northbound lane and collided with a northbound 1999 Kenworth. The Dodge’s driver, identified publicly as 78-year-old Thomas Waljeski of Malibu, California, was transported to a hospital and later died from his injuries on November 15. Authorities have not publicly reported injuries to the truck driver at this time.

These facts reflect the preliminary understanding of what happened on scene. In many serious collisions, investigators continue gathering evidence after the first report, which can include diagramming skid marks, retrieving vehicle data modules, and interviewing witnesses. Updates may follow as agencies complete their work.

Where It Happened and Why This Stretch Matters to Fallon

The crash occurred on US 95, south of Paiute Drive, in the Fallon area. US 95 is a lifeline corridor through Churchill County that carries local traffic, long-haul trucking, and seasonal visitors moving between the Lahontan Valley, Schurz, Hawthorne, and the Las Vegas and Reno corridors. Many Fallon residents use this highway for everyday needs, from reaching work near Naval Air Station Fallon to traveling toward Hazen or Fernley. When something happens on this road, it impacts more than a single family, it ripples across our tightly connected community.

That segment near Paiute Drive sits close to neighborhoods and local businesses, a place where commuter patterns and freight traffic meet. The mix of vehicle sizes and speeds can leave little margin for error. Locals know that visibility and undivided stretches require extra attention, especially as winter light fades earlier and agricultural traffic shares the road during harvest and shipping seasons.

What Investigators Reported So Far

Based on the initial account, the Dodge crossed the centerline into the oncoming lane and collided with a Kenworth truck. Nevada Highway Patrol troopers responded and opened a crash investigation. In serious roadway fatalities, Nevada State Police investigators typically reconstruct events using vehicle rest positions, roadway evidence, and data sources like event data recorders where available. It is common for the preliminary narrative to evolve as more information is verified.

If you witnessed this crash or have dash camera footage from that morning near US 95 and Paiute Drive, investigators often welcome supplemental information. Witness statements can help clarify speed, lane position, or conditions such as glare, weather, or sudden obstruction. If you intend to share information, consider contacting Nevada State Police through their public contact channels. You can locate official contact information through the Nevada State Police website at nsp.nv.gov.

Civil Law Considerations After a Centerline Collision in Nevada

From a civil personal injury and wrongful death perspective, collisions involving a centerline crossing raise several legal questions. Families often ask whether fault is always clear when a vehicle enters the opposing lane. The short answer is that it depends on the full facts. Investigators and, later, insurance adjusters and civil attorneys consider lane position, speed, roadway design, sightlines, vehicle defects, medical emergencies, and potential third-party factors.

Commercial vehicle involvement adds additional layers. A Kenworth truck on a through-route like US 95 likely operates under federal safety regulations. If any claim were to involve the trucking company or its insurer, analysis could reach into hours-of-service compliance, driver qualifications, maintenance records, and onboard telematics. While that may or may not be relevant here, it is part of the broader civil framework for serious crashes that involve heavy vehicles.

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Comparative Negligence in Nevada

Nevada uses a modified comparative negligence system. If a civil case is filed, a fact finder may assign percentages of fault among involved parties based on the evidence. Under Nevada law, a party who is more than 50 percent at fault cannot recover damages, while a party 50 percent or less at fault can recover, reduced by their share of fault. You can review the statute at NRS 41.141 from the Nevada Legislature.

Wrongful Death Rights and Who May Bring a Claim

When a death results from a collision, Nevada’s wrongful death statute governs who may bring a civil claim and what categories of damages may be sought. Beneficiaries typically include certain surviving family members, and the estate may have independent claims. See NRS 41.085 for the statutory framework.

Deadlines to File in Nevada

There are deadlines that can affect civil claims related to injuries or wrongful death. Many Nevada civil actions for personal injury must be filed within two years, and wrongful death claims commonly follow the same two-year period. Exact timelines depend on the facts, and there are exceptions in certain circumstances. The general limitations periods appear in NRS 11.190.

Commercial Vehicle Evidence and Federal Safety Rules

When a heavy truck is involved, relevant records might include driver logs, electronic logging device data, pre-trip inspection checklists, and maintenance files. Federal hours-of-service and inspection rules are administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, see the agency’s overview at the FMCSA Hours of Service page. While none of this suggests fault in any particular case, it highlights the kind of documentation that can matter in a civil analysis.

How Families Can Obtain Official Records

In the days following a fatal crash, it can feel overwhelming to figure out what documents exist and who to call. The most important records usually include the official crash report, coroner documents such as the autopsy or cause-of-death determination, and the certified death certificate. Here is how those typically work in Nevada.

Nevada State Police Crash Report

The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol investigates serious traffic collisions on state routes like US 95. If NSP was the investigating agency, the official crash report and any available supplemental documents can usually be requested after the report is finalized. NSP maintains public contact information and links to public records request portals on its website at nsp.nv.gov. For many state agencies, formal requests are submitted through a Public Records Center. Response times vary based on investigation status and whether the case remains active.

Crash reports often include narrative summaries, diagrams, and officer observations, and they may list involved parties and insurance details. Families may need this document for insurance claims and estate administration.

Coroner and Autopsy Information in Churchill County

Fatal crashes in Churchill County fall under the jurisdiction of the county coroner. In many Nevada counties, the Sheriff’s Office serves as the coroner. The county provides official information and contact details through its government website at churchillcountynv.gov. Availability of autopsy and toxicology reports depends on when testing is complete, and release policies prioritize next of kin. Nevada statutes governing coroners are available at NRS Chapter 259.

When speaking with the coroner’s office, ask about expected timeframes for reports, how certified copies can be obtained, and whether any holds apply due to ongoing investigations.

Certified Death Certificates in Nevada

Certified death certificates for events occurring in Nevada are issued by the Nevada Office of Vital Records within the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public and Behavioral Health. The state outlines ordering options and eligibility at the Vital Records program page: dpbh.nv.gov. Funeral homes often help families place the initial order, and additional certified copies can be requested later for insurance, pensions, and probate matters.

Practical Steps to Protect a Potential Claim

Even while grieving, there are practical steps that can preserve information and prevent important details from slipping away. These actions do not accuse anyone of wrongdoing. They simply create a clear record.

• Preserve vehicle evidence. Ask that involved vehicles be preserved in their post-crash condition until an inspection can occur. Many modern vehicles, including passenger cars and commercial trucks, store crash-related data in event data recorders.
• Identify and safeguard digital data. If you have access to the decedent’s phone, confirm whether location sharing or driving apps captured trip data. Save photos, texts, or calendar entries related to travel on the day of the collision.
• Request nearby video sources. Businesses and public facilities near US 95 and Paiute Drive may overwrite security footage quickly, sometimes within days. It helps to promptly ask for preservation, even before you know whether the footage shows the crash itself.
• Document the scene conditions. Weather, sun angle, and traffic patterns at the same time of day can matter. Locals know that glare can change quickly around open fields south of Fallon. Time-stamped photos taken from safe locations can be useful for later analysis.
• Track medical information. Keep hospital records, discharge summaries, and billing statements. If the decedent received care at a local facility, those records become part of documenting injuries and cause of death.
• Keep a log. Record dates of calls with agencies, insurance adjusters, towing companies, and medical providers. Save names and reference numbers.
• Consider a preservation letter. In claims that may involve a commercial carrier, a written request to preserve driver logs, electronic logging device data, and maintenance records can prevent automatic deletion. Such a letter is sometimes called a spoliation notice.

If there is any possibility of an insurance claim, it is wise to speak with a seasoned and skilled personal injury attorney before starting recorded conversations with insurance companies. What someone says early on, even during a condolence call from an adjuster, can be used against them later. A free consultation helps clarify rights and obligations before statements are made.

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Interactions With Insurance Companies

It is common for insurance representatives to reach out quickly after a fatal crash, especially when a commercial vehicle is involved. Adjusters may seek recorded statements, authorizations for medical records, or early settlements. Without context, it can be hard to know what to say. Here are general guardrails.

• Consult an attorney first. Before speaking to any insurance company, consult a personal injury attorney for a free consultation to understand your rights. Statements to insurers can be used to shape liability positions or reduce payouts later.
• Limit authorizations. Broad medical or employment authorizations can give insurers access to decades of records not related to the crash. Ask questions before signing any form.
• Do not rely on summaries. Request copies of any documents you are asked to sign and time to review them.
• Beware of quick offers. Early settlement checks may not reflect the full scope of loss, including final medical expenses, funeral costs, and long-term financial impacts on a family.

Nevada’s comparative negligence law, linked above, allows insurers to argue that another party’s share of responsibility should limit recovery. Understanding that framework before you speak with an adjuster helps prevent accidental admissions or unclear statements being taken out of context.

Community Safety Discussion for US 95 and Churchill County

Lane departure crashes on undivided highways are a persistent challenge across Nevada. The state’s traffic safety agencies publish data and priorities to reduce fatalities. The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety maintains statewide safety information at ots.nv.gov, including strategies addressing lane departure and older road users. For a national perspective on older drivers and roadway safety, see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s overview at nhtsa.gov. Nevada Department of Transportation also outlines system-wide safety initiatives and corridor projects at dot.nv.gov.

For local drivers, a few community-focused reminders go a long way on US 95 near Fallon.

• Mind the centerline. Undivided stretches leave little buffer. Small drifts can turn dangerous quickly when trucks are on approach.
• Anticipate glare and open-field winds. Mornings can bring strong sun angles across the Lahontan Valley. Sudden gusts over open farmland can nudge a vehicle if tires and alignment are not in good shape.
• Leave space around heavy trucks. Stopping distances for loaded trucks are far longer. On approach curves and rises south of town, extra following distance helps.
• Watch seasonal patterns. Winter daylight, holiday traffic, and agricultural shipping change the feel of the road. What felt predictable in summer can be different by late fall.

Communities like Fallon are resilient. We look out for each other on US 95, on Maine Street, and during Friday night lights. Sharing the road safely is part of that care.

Resources and Government Contacts

Here are official sources and government agencies that can help with records and information related to a serious crash in Churchill County.

• Nevada State Police Highway Patrol. For crash report status and public records request guidance, start at the agency website: nsp.nv.gov.
• Churchill County Government and Sheriff’s Office. For coroner matters and local public safety information, refer to the county site: churchillcountynv.gov.
• Nevada Vital Records. For certified death certificates and eligibility rules, see the state’s Vital Records page: dpbh.nv.gov.
• Nevada Revised Statutes. Comparative negligence, wrongful death, statutes of limitation, and coroner statutes are accessible through the Legislature’s website:

• NRS 41.141 comparative negligence
• NRS 41.085 wrongful death
• NRS 11.190 limitations periods
• NRS Chapter 259 coroners

• Nevada Office of Traffic Safety. Statewide crash trends and safety emphasis areas: ots.nv.gov.
• Nevada Department of Transportation. Traffic safety programs and corridor planning: dot.nv.gov.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Basic rules for commercial drivers that may be relevant in truck-involved collisions: fmcsa.dot.gov.

Commentary from Gosuits Fallon, Nevada Personal Injury Attorney

Our thoughts are with the family and friends affected by this loss in Fallon. Articles like this are for educational purposes and general information, not for any specific legal situation.

Based on the publicly reported facts, this appears to be a centerline collision on an undivided stretch of US 95, the kind of event that unfolds in seconds yet changes lives forever. In civil cases involving opposite-direction crashes, the key questions usually revolve around lane position, speed, roadway conditions, potential vehicle issues, and whether any sudden medical event or external factor played a role. If a commercial truck is involved, additional records can become relevant, including driver logs and maintenance files, even when the initial narrative focuses on the passenger vehicle’s movement.

Insurance carriers and large corporations are highly practiced at early response. Adjusters know what to ask and how to frame a narrative around comparative fault. They sometimes seek recorded statements and broad authorizations before families have had a chance to catch their breath. Without context, small inconsistencies or incomplete answers can be used later to limit recovery. This is why obtaining a free consultation before engaging with insurers is so important. A brief conversation can help someone understand which documents to gather, what to say, and what not to say, so their rights are protected while the facts are still developing.

Why Timely Action Matters After a Serious Crash

Taking concrete steps soon after a crash can preserve information that may not be available later. Here is what should happen next and why time matters.

• Request official records promptly. Crash reports, coroner findings, and certified death certificates form the backbone of any later insurance claim or court filing. Agencies often need time to complete their work, and early requests start the queue.
• Preserve vehicles and data. Tow yards and insurers may move or release vehicles quickly. Event data recorders, dash cameras, and commercial telematics can overwrite or be lost with time. Asking for preservation now can make a decisive difference later.
• Secure witness information. People’s memories fade and contact numbers change. Capturing names, emails, and what witnesses recall, while it is fresh, helps build an accurate timeline.
• Document expenses and impacts. Funeral costs, final medical bills, travel for family meetings, and time away from work add up. Keeping a simple ledger helps ensure no detail is lost in the shuffle.
• Consult before speaking to insurance. Early insurer outreach is common. A free consultation with a personal injury attorney first allows someone to understand Nevada’s comparative negligence framework and the potential implications of recorded statements. What is said to an insurance company can be used against the claimant later.
• Mind Nevada deadlines. Civil claims are subject to statutes of limitation, and some evidence must be requested before routine deletion. Acting within weeks, not months, reduces the risk of losing key proof while remaining respectful of the grieving process.

The benefit of acting now is clarity and preservation. The outcome is a more complete record of what happened on US 95 near Paiute Drive, so decisions can be made with confidence as the community and family move forward.