Reno firefighter sentenced to probation in reckless driving case

UPDATE - MARCH 5, 2026

Sean Price, the off-duty Reno firefighter, who pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving causing substantial bodily harm has been sentenced.

On March 17th of last year, Price's car crossed into an oncoming lane and hit another car on Avenida De Landa.

The defense had asked for a minimum of 12 to 30 months in prison and mental health court. The state was asking for a maximum of 28 to 72 months in prison.

Judge James Russell imposed a sentence of 24 to 60 months of probation and no jail time.

The Washoe County District Attorney's office has released a statement,

"Our position regarding the case against Shawn Price has remained consistent throughout this process. We moved forward with the charge that was supported by the available evidence and successfully prosecuted the defendant on that provable offense. We advocated for the maximum six-year sentence for reckless driving and are deeply disappointed in the court’s decision to instead place Mr. Price on probation. Our office will continue to stand up for victims of crime and pursue accountability in every case. While we respect the court’s role in sentencing, today’s outcome is not the result we believed this victim deserved."

UPDATE - DECEMBER 9:

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.