Blowout cause of fatal crash

Friday, May 16, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

A Las Vegas man was killed when the pickup truck he was driving blew a tire on Interstate 15 and then flipped over in the desert.

Nevada Highway Patrol investigators have determined that the flat left front tire caused the disabled vehicle to swerve left into the dirt median and roll at least once near Craig Road at 12:20 p.m. Thursday.

Paramedics transported the man's three passengers, who had been riding in the truck's cab, to University Medical Center. Alejandro Sierra, 24, of North Las Vegas, Jose Torres, 40, and Sergio Galarza, 29, both of Las Vegas, were treated and in satisfactory condition, authorities said.

The driver's name was not available.

North Las Vegas firefighters responded to assist with a leaking 40-gallon propane tank that was knocked out of the truck's bed and into the median during the rollover. Trooper Steve Harney said the cleanup required a detour for northbound and southbound traffic for two hours, during which three additional auto accidents involving less severe injuries occurred.

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