Tribune/Debra Reid - A freeway entrance sign was knocked over as two cars collided and left the road early Tuesday at southbound Sparks Boulevard and Interstate-80. A possible red-light runner may have caused the broadside said police.
At around 7:30 a.m., a southbound car hit a westbound vehicle at the intersection of Sparks Boulevard and the Interstate 80 westbound on-ramp. Police on scene said the crash occurred because the second car, traveling from the freeway off-ramp to the on-ramp, failed to stop for the red light. The collision knocked both cars off the pavement. A chainlink fence prevented the westbound car from flying off the overpass and down an embankment.
The injured driver, not at fault, was assisted out of his car by Sparks firefighters. Southbound lanes of Sparks Boulevard were closed for about 40 minutes during the clean-up.
Two people were transported to hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Part of the fence and a freeway sign were knocked down.
A few hours after the accident, Sparks police set up a High Accident Location Target (HALT) traffic enforcement operation at the intersection of El Rancho Drive and Oddie Boulevard. The HALT program targets problem intersections with high accident rates. Officers issued drivers citations or warnings for running red lights, speeding, jaywalking and other violations.
Red light “running” is on the increase and is a danger for residents, Sparks Police Sgt. Mike Cardella said. The law also requires drivers to slow down, not speed up, for yellow lights. Speeding up to beat a yellow light is called a “duty to decrease” violation, Cardella said.
The fine for a red light violation is $145.
Sgt. Cardella said he experiences the same frustration as other drivers with endless road construction and increasing traffic congestion.
“You know you’re going to hit construction so leave yourself a little extra time,” Cardella said. “Just breathe – it relaxes you.”
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