Names released of Hwy. 28 accident victims

Updated July 20 1:05pm.

By Kathryn Reed

Two people died in a three-car accident Tuesday on Highway 28 four miles south of Sand Harbor.

The highway reopened about 8:30pm after being closed for five hours.

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Mike Edgell said Miguel Perez, 24, of Gardnerville was heading south when his green Ford F350 drifted across the center line and struck the left rear of a commercial truck’s trailer.

Seeing the truck coming, the Taurus behind the commercial truck pulled to the shoulder, according to Edgell. But then Perez’s truck hit the Taurus head-on.

“It was so hard it pushed it back and off the roadway,” Edgell said of the Taurus being struck.

Killed in the accident were the driver Michael Rapanaro, 57, of New York and front passenger Charles Farlow, 59, of Reno

Two female passengers in the back of the Taurus sustained serious injuries. They were taken by ambulance to Incline Village and then CareFlight flew them to Renown Medical Center in Reno. Edgell said Lori Brown, 57, of Reno was in critical condition. Rhonda Farlow, 57, of Reno was not as critically injured.

Perez refused medical treatment. Passengers Abel Najar of Gardnerville, Miguel Perez Jr. and Alexis Perez, all of Gardnerville, were taken by ambulance to a Reno hospital.

Commercial truck driver Mark Thorpe, 54, of Yerington was not injured.

Perez has not been charged with any crimes while the investigation continues. Edgell said alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the accident.

Any witnesses are asked to call Trooper Eric Gallagher at (775) 687.0400.