Lieutenant still in coma after injury

A Carson City police officer remained in a coma Tuesday, recovering from injuries sustained in an off-duty accident.

Lt. Wade Penegor, 42, was ejected from his all-terrain vehicle on Saturday at East Lake Boulevard and Coyote Drive in New Washoe City. According to the Washoe County Sheriff's Department, he was northbound on Coyote Drive when he attempted to make a right onto East Lake.

"The vehicle was apparently traveling too fast to make the turn and began to lose traction," according to a press release.

Penegor's wife, Luanne, said her husband moved his hands and legs on Monday and tried to sit up, despite being in a medication-induced coma to aid in his recovery from a head injury.

"It's in God's hands right now. God is going take care of things. All we can do is pray and have positive thoughts," Luanne said Tuesday.

She and the couple's daughters Jami, 10, and Jordan, 11, were preparing to celebrate Jami's birthday Tuesday with haircuts and a dinner celebration.

Luanne said the family has received an outpouring of support from friends. Penegor's co-workers, including members of the Sheriff's Mounted Posse, have offered to help care for the family's ranch in Washoe Valley where they board horses - an enterprise Penegor's father, Bob, a retired Reno police officer, is also part of.

"It's been awesome," Luanne said. "I want to thank everyone for all the support. I'd be up on the ceiling if we didn't have it."

Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.