I-80 reopens after deadly snowstorm

RENO -- Traffic was moving again Wednesday on Interstate 80 over the Sierra after a potent winter storm dumped up to 6 feet of snow in the mountains and led to an avalanche that killed a veteran ski patrol member at a Lake Tahoe resort.

In the Reno-Carson City area, scores of accidents and spinouts kept law enforcement agencies busy during the morning commute before the sun broke through and icy roads melted.

"It was a very, very busy morning for us," said Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chuck Allen.

Allen said law enforcement agencies responded to 38 wrecks in the Reno area alone, five involving injuries.

I-80, the main link between Northern Nevada and California, was closed Tuesday night after whiteout conditions led to multiple spinouts and jackknifed trucks. It reopened around 9 a.m. Wednesday and all travel restrictions were lifted.

On Tuesday at Squaw Valley USA, Andrew Entin, 41, who was working on avalanche controls, died when he was caught in a slide and partially buried.