One teen killed, five hurt in rollover

Cheryl Miller

Wednesday, June 16, 1999 | 11:17 a.m.

A Chaparral High School student was killed and five other Las Vegas-area teens were hurt early Monday when the sport utility vehicle they were traveling in drifted off a highway near Needles and overturned at least twice.

Matt Hansen, 16, of Las Vegas was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident that occurred shortly after midnight Monday on southbound U.S. 95 about six miles north of Interstate 40, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Two boys and one girl also injured in the accident were airlifted to University Medical Center. The boys, both 16, are listed in fair condition. The girl, 16, remains in serious condition, a UMC spokeswoman said.

Another boy, 15, was taken to Colorado River Medical Center in Needles and released the day of the accident, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

California Highway Patrol Officer Don Woelke said the six students were driving toward Lake Havasu when the car they were traveling in drifted off the road. The 16-year-old driver tried to guide the vehicle back onto the road, but overcorrected, causing the car to flip, Woelke said.

Three of the teens, including Hansen, were ejected from the vehicle; the CHP does not believe they were wearing seat belts. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, although Woelke said that neither speeding nor alcohol were involved.