Family members described one of the drivers as a devoted father and husband, and a fundraiser has been started to help with funeral costs.
Mesquite, NV - October 28, 2026
Two drivers died early Friday after a wrong-way crash on Interstate 15 near mile marker 77, close to the Valley of Fire area, according to Nevada Highway Patrol. One of the drivers, Aaron Rodriguez, 29, was remembered by his family as a caring father.
Key Facts
- Date: Early Friday, at about 4:11 a.m. (reported October 28, 2026)
- Location: Interstate 15 near mile marker 77, near Mesquite, Nevada
- Type of crash: Wrong-way crash
- Vehicles involved: 2010 Hyundai Genesis, 2015 Nissan Altima, 2025 Chevrolet Silverado
- Injuries / fatalities: Two drivers died at the scene; the driver of the Chevrolet had minor injuries
- Responding agencies: Nevada Highway Patrol
- Reported by: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Crash Overview
According to a Nevada Highway Patrol release cited by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Rodriguez was driving a 2010 Hyundai Genesis south on Interstate 15 when a 2015 Nissan Altima, described as traveling the wrong way, came toward him. Authorities said Rodriguez tried to avoid the Nissan by steering right, but the two vehicles collided.
The release said both Rodriguez and the Nissan's driver died at the scene. The Nissan was then struck by a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado. Its driver, who was not identified in the release, had minor injuries and was not taken to a hospital.
Nevada Highway Patrol trooper Shawn Haggstrom said on Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing. Reports have not specified a cause for the crash.
People Involved
- Aaron Rodriguez, 29, was the driver of the Hyundai Genesis. His wife said he had moved to Mesquite with his family from Tampa, Florida, about a year and a half earlier. She said he was a member of the Army National Guard, had recently started work as an automation and electrical control engineer at the Boring Company in Las Vegas, and volunteered to teach automation to middle and high school students at the Mesquite 4-H center. She said the couple was expecting their second child.
- Alba Zaret Bueno-Lopez, 38, of Las Vegas, was the driver of the Nissan Altima. Authorities reported that this driver died at the scene.
- The Chevrolet Silverado's driver was not identified in the release and had minor injuries.