Bomb hoax closes Hwy. 50 in Stateline

A Minden man pulled over Saturday night on suspicion of drunken driving ended up closing down Highway 50 in Stateline for several hours on what turned out to be a false bomb scare.

Adam Smith, 29, was stopped about 10:58pm near Kahle Drive by the Sushi Pier restaurant. Douglas County sheriff’s deputies saw a wire going from the front seat to the trunk. When asked what it was, deputies said Smith told them it was a bomb.

Tahoe Douglas’ bomb robot determined there was no bomb in the suspect’s vehicle. Photo/Provided

Eric Guevin of Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District told Lake Tahoe News people will say things that like to “divert attention” from why they were originally pulled over.

The fire department’s bomb squad, including the robot, was then called out.

Highway 50 traffic was diverted around the area for several hours.

It wasn’t until 4am March 31 that it was officially determined Smith’s allegations were a hoax.

Smith was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and making a bomb threat.

 — Lake Tahoe News staff report