Driver killed in crash on airport connector

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003 | 10:47 a.m.

The Nevada Highway Patrol early today was investigating a rollover accident on the airport connector that killed the driver and closed the heavily used eastbound commuter ramp at Interstate 215 for several hours.

The driver, who was ejected, was found about 200 feet from where his white Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle came to rest on the eastbound I-215 onramp during the 4 a.m. accident, NHP Trooper spokeswoman Angie Wolff said.

The man was described only as a Las Vegas resident in his late 20s. The preliminary investigation indicates he was not wearing his seat belt, Wolff said. She said investigators aren't yet sure whether alcohol or speed contributed to the accident.

The accident shut down the eastbound I-215 onramp for about five hours. But it did not shut down the airport connector tunnel on State Route 171, Wolff said.

Morning commuter traffic was diverted to westbound I-215 to Las Vegas Boulevard, where motorists could turn around and get on eastbound I-215. It was about a two-mile detour, Wolff said.

The NHP was in the process of opening the I-215 eastbound onramp shortly after 9 a.m. today.

The Ford was traveling southbound on State Route 171, which is commonly called the airport connector because it allows motorists to more easily access McCarran International Airport. The driver of the Explorer failed to keep it in its traffic lane and failed to negotiate the curve of the ramp, Wolff said.

One of the Ford's tires rolled onto the ramp and the pressure sheared off the shock absorber and the wheel, sending both pieces flying 500 to 700 feet from the vehicle which remained on the ramp, Wolff said.

The driver was the only occupant in the vehicle, Wolff said.