An elderly couple from Sparks died Saturday night in a DUI crash on Pyramid Highway, with the driver who allegedly caused the crash arrested on suspicion of two counts felony DUI causing death among other charges, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Mario Guansing, 77, and his wife, Erlinda, 74, were taken by ambulance to a Reno area hospital where they died of their injuries sustained during the crash, said NHP Trooper Duncan Dauber. Both Guansing and his wife were wearing their seat belts.
Arrested was Mario Cortez, 35, of Sparks. He was booked into the Washoe County Jail on the following charges: Felony DUI crash resulting in death (two counts), felony hit and run crash resulting in death (two counts), failure to stop at the scene of a crash, fail to render aid at vehicle accident, failure to use due care, and failure to wear a safety belt.
The crash was reported to NHP at 10:07 p.m. Troopers were dispatched to the intersection of Pyramid Highway and Disc Drive. Preliminary crash investigation details indicate that a black Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Cortez was traveling southbound on Pyramid highway approaching the intersection with Disc Drive.
In front of the Pontiac, also southbound on Pyramid Highway, was a silver Honda Accord driven by Mario Guansing with his wife, Erlinda Guansing, a passenger.
The Accord was stopped, or was stopping at the traffic light with Disc Drive. Cortez failed to decrease his speed causing the front of the Pontiac to strike the rear of the Honda, said Dauber. Both vehicles were pushed southbound and came to rest on their wheels in the right shoulder of Pyramid Highway in the intersection with Disc Drive.
Cortez fled the scene on foot and was later found outside a local business establishment in near proximity to the crash location. Cortez was placed into custody and was transported by ground to a local area hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
Cortez gave verbal consent for a blood draw to determine impairment.
This area of Pyramid Highway is two lanes in each direction and the speed limit is 55 mph.
Nevada Highway Patrol’s Major Incident Reconstruction Team (MIRT) is investigating this incident. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information related to this incident is encouraged to reach out to them at (775)688-2500 regarding case number NHP-160402155.
