A fatal crash on a rural Nevada highway shut down both lanes and left one man dead and two others injured on July 20.

Nevada State Police say that on Sunday afternoon, Nevada Highway Patrol troopers responded to a crash on State Route 305 near mile marker 50, between Austin and Battle Mountain.

According to a preliminary investigation, a white 1991 Jeep Cherokee was traveling south in the southbound lane of SR305, followed closely by a white 2026 Freightliner semi-truck. 

Investigators say the Jeep crossed into the northbound lane and sideswiped a white 2020 Ford F-150 heading in the opposite direction.

The impact caused the F-150 to veer into the southbound lane, where it collided with the front left side of the Freightliner.

The F-150 left the roadway and came to a stop off the highway. The Freightliner jackknifed, blocking both lanes, and the Jeep also left the road and overturned.

The driver of the Ford F-150, identified as 55-year-old William Benes of Las Vegas, was pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers of the Jeep and the Freightliner sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported by medical personnel. No passengers were in any of the cars.

The Nevada State Police's Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit is continuing its investigation into the crash.

NSP says that so far this year, their Nevada Highway Patrol, Region Three, has investigated 13 fatal crashes that resulted in 15 fatalities.