Nevada trooper seeks help in finding ex-trucker

A Nevada lawman is asking truckers for help locating a former trucker and his dog who disappeared on Interstate 80 between Wells and Winnemucca.

Humboldt County Undersheriff Curtiss Kull said the Nevada Highway Patrol pulled over Patrick Francis Carnes just east of Wells about 9 p.m. April 13. The 86-year-old Reno resident violated the state’s “move over” law by not shifting to the fast lane to pass an emergency vehicle stopped on the shoulder.

Carnes was returning to his Reno home after visiting family in Ohio. Following the traffic stop, he continued west in his 2005 dark-green Subaru Forester station wagon, apparently traveling with a tractor-trailer. Truckers who viewed the trooper’s dashboard film said the truck might have been pulling a reefer, Kull said.

About 6 a.m. the next day, his Subaru was discovered abandoned but in good condition at the exit 205 Pumpernickel Valley off-ramp.

No businesses are located near this rural exit, which is the location a vehicle was abandoned in another unsolved missing person case. A Reno area woman disappeared in February 2006 and her pick-up was abandoned there the following month.

World War II veteran Carnes had great respect for truckers, was in excellent health and stayed in close touch with his family. Carnes’ constant companion Lucky, his 100-pound Akita/mixed-breed dog, has never been found either.

An extensive search of the area did not provide leads.

Carnes has blue eyes and wears glasses. The 5’11’’ 180-pound man has a fair complexion and is balding with gray hair.

Kull has asked that anyone with information concerning his disappearance or saw anything in the Pumpernickel Valley off-ramp on April 13 or 14 to call his office at (775) 623-6429, or Secret Witness at (775) 322-4900. A reward has been offered.

A photo of Carnes and an online form available to provide information is available at http://www.hcsonv.com/missing.htm.

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