Authorities say an off-duty Reno firefighter who was impaired and caused a crash last March has pleaded guilty to a reckless driving-related charge.
The Washoe County District Attorney's Office says Shawn Price will be sentenced next March to one charge of reckless driving causing substantial bodily harm when his car crossed into the oncoming lane on Avenida De Landa and hit another car.
UPDATE - OCTOBER 31:
According to new information from the Reno Police Department, the Sparks Police Department is leading the investigation into a March crash on Avenida De Landa near Gatewood Drive that involved off-duty Reno firefighter Shawn Price.
On March 17, just after 1 p.m., Reno Police officers were dispatched to Avenida De Landa near Gatewood Drive on a report of a crash between two cars that caused property damage. When officers arrived, they began investigating and learned that the driver found to be at fault was identified as Shawn Price, an off-duty City of Reno firefighter who had already been taken to a local hospital.
“Per RPD policy, they immediately contacted our partner agencies seeking assistance with the crash investigation,” Reno Police said in a statement. “The Sparks Police Department responded and took over the investigation.”
It is department policy to request an outside agency to investigate any crash involving a City of Reno employee, whether on or off duty, if the incident involves serious injuries or if an arrest of the employee is likely.
“Officers at the scene followed proper procedures,” the department added. “They did not pause or delay when they learned the driver was a City of Reno employee and continued to ensure that the investigation was conducted appropriately until it was turned over to the Sparks Police Department.”
The Sparks Police Department is now the lead agency handling both the crash and the DUI investigation involving Price.
Court records show the case has been stayed, meaning it is paused until further notice. The case has been bound over to the district court for the remaining charge, though it has not yet appeared in the district court system.
This is a developing story, and information will be updated as it becomes available.
ORIGINAL STORY - MARCH 17:
Two cars were involved in a crash this afternoon on Avenida de Landa in northwest Reno, sending one driver to the hospital.
The Reno Fire Department responded to a report that came in around 1:30 p.m. of the crash between the two vehicles.
According to officials, it appears that one of the cars was speeding and crossed the center line, hitting another car.
The car that was speeding then went off the road, hitting a brick wall.
Only a driver was in each vehicle; the speeding driver was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials say that impairment, along with speeding, appears to be a factor in the crash.
