Pedestrian killed on 215 Beltway identified

By Mary Manning

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 | 10:25 a.m.

The man who was hit and killed early Wednesday morning in the westbound lanes of the 215 Beltway was identified as 31-year-old Richard Kauffman, the Clark County coroner's office said today.

The man darted from a rock-strewn embankment onto the highway in front of a cement truck that was heading west toward the northbound I-15 onramp, Trooper Kevin Honea said.

The Nevada Highway Patrol is investigating his death. Kauffman's hometown wasn't immediately available.

Traffic ground to a halt on the freeway after the accident, which occurred about 3 a.m., as highway patrol investigators worked the scene. All lanes were reopened on the Beltway about 7:20 a.m., Honea said.

The man was wearing dark clothing and didn't have a wallet or other identification, Honea said.

The highway patrol is looking into why the man ran into traffic, including whether it was an "intentional act," Honea said.