Tahoe Snowboarder Cody Clemente’s Family Shares More About Fatal Accident

The family of an 18-year-old snowboarder from Reno who died in a car crash has said that he likely fell asleep at the wheel.

The details were revealed in a post from the family on Clemente’s GoFundMe page. Clemente got a phone call around 3 a.m. on August 16, 2025, from a friend who needed a ride.

“Genuine to Cody’s nature and without hesitation, he went to pick up his friend. It was on the way home that the accident occurred,” the post says. “There were no drugs and alcohol involved - it’s likely he fell asleep at the wheel. It was a tragic accident with no one to blame.”

The note is signed by the Clemente family. You can donate to the GoFundMe page here. 

“We’re holding on to the fact that he passed away in the midst of caring for someone else’s well-being and we will carry that with us like a bright light,” it says.

Clemente competed in the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association, otherwise known as the USASA. Clemente competed in the regional, national, futures Tour, and Rev Tour events. He competed all over the country, from Northstar in California to Mount Snow in Vermont. His mother, Lori, is the co-director of the North Tahoe Series. She said that he often talked about how aware he was that he was fortunate enough to connect with other skiers and riders throughout the world.

The USASA made its own brief statement as well.

“Over the weekend we lost one of our own. Let’s support those in our community during unimaginable times,” it said. “We are holding the Clemente family closely, and in our thoughts and prayers.”

A memorial for Clemente will be held in the wintertime. In the meantime, his family is setting up a memorial fund in his name to help local athletes discover a passion for snowboarding and live out their own dreams.

“It’s our way to pay it forward in honor of Cody,” the letter from his family says.