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StumblePedestrian struck, killed while running across I-15
Published Monday, June 15, 2009 | 12:28 p.m.
Updated Monday, June 15, 2009 | 2:25 p.m.
2005 yearbook photo of Eric R. Nothem.
Pedestrian killed
A pedestrian who was running east across southbound Interstate 15 about 3 a.m. Sunday was struck and killed, the Nevada Highway Patrol said today.
A 22-year-old Wisconsin man died after running into the path of a Chevrolet sedan, which struck the man as he entered the right travel lane, said Trooper Kevin Honea, spokesman for the Nevada Highway Patrol. The crash occurred near the Flamingo Road interchange.
The Clark County Coroner's Office has identified the pedestrian as Eric R. Nothem of Kewaskum, Wis. The cause of his death was a fractured skull and injuries from a collision with the sedan, a spokeswoman for the coroner's office said.
Nothem graduated from Kewaskum High School in 2005, a friend said.
Nothem was taken to University Medical Center's trauma unit, where he died, Honea said.
The driver of the Chevrolet sedan stayed at the scene and voluntarily submitted blood samples, Honea said. The driver likely won't be charged, authorities said.
It is illegal to be a pedestrian on a freeway, Honea said.
The collision is still under investigation. The Department of Public Safety/Highway Patrol Division has investigated 21 fatal crashes resulting in 25 deaths this year.
Discussion: comments so far…
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Please keep your negative comments to yourself. That is not what happened. I believe in Darwin, but this is not the full case. He was my friend, so please, keep your comments to yourself.
There seem to be a lot of pedestrian deaths in Las Vegas for some reason.
Think about the friends and family before your run your mouth!
"A 22 yr old Wisconsin man died after running into the path of a Chevrolet sedan...."
"The Clark County Corner's Office has not identified the pedestrian."
Hmmm...
Because everything you read should be taken for 100% truth.
agarb176,
so then fill us in on why he would try and run across a freeway in the middle of the night.
He didnt. Look, I dont mean to be mean, or a jerk. Just wait until the coroners report is available, that is all I honestly ask. I just want to nasty comments to end. That is all.
Lets leave the negative comments off this page! If this was your family member would you want this said on here!
If Darwin was true Jaeson and StevenM would be gone already.
1.) This was not an inebriated youth doing wind-sprints on I-15. 2.) This was a family member - a genuine down to earth, compassionate and morally guided young man. He was abducted and robbed of several hundred dollars before he either was thrown from a car or leapt from a car to escape his captors. I know it sounds like a CSI episode, but this is real folks. It happened and you can expect any Vegas related media outlet to misrepresent the facts. Vegas is on it's financial deathbed and this type of negative news won't be released because of the further damage it will do to the local economy. I urge you to contact this news paper as well as the NVHP and demand the facts. If you've ever wanted to get involved in something where a few phone calls and emails can help bring focus and clarity to an injustice, now is your opportunity to make a difference. Contact Josh Moses of the NVHP @ 702-432-5219 and also email him @ jmoses@dps.state.nv.us. Demand a thorough investigation and presentation of the facts - Eric was murdered.
get a life - I like to comment here but this is a highly public place and it should be nicer than if it were in a bar at 3 am. How about it - lets prove that Darwin is right and that we can evolve.
tw1525, I was a friend of Eric and I will be contacting Josh Moses as soon as I am responding to you. Thank you.
aww, 26runner mad?
I see they have updated the name of this young man. Whatever the reason of him being there it's tragic and may he rest in peace.
tw, are you suggesting you were there(or someone you know) and witnessed the abduction? If so how come you didn't report it to the police? It's hard to believe the press would let this important detail slip from the headlines.
What tw1525?!? Where did all your info come from?
I was also a friend of Erics and the thought of him walking or running across a highway like this is absolutely outrageous and ubelievable. He would never do such a thing.
We love you, Eric.
For those who believe everything you read, open your eyes. There's a coverup going on.
Hey Jaesun,
You are a very rude and disrespectful human being. I don't think you would be making ignorant if it were a member of your family.
This isn't the time for opinions and points of view. My prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Nothem.
Listen lvrb, ERIC WOULD NOT DO THAT. You did not know him. Do not make assumptions about someone you do not know. If someone close to you experienced something like this you would be as outraged as we are that we are hearing these comments.
how many times have we heard "well, he wouldn't do that, i KNOW him" and it turns out he ended up doing it?
Why would people feel the need to argue with relatives of a recently deceased tourist? Let it be.
gmag39:
Because they need to make anonymous disparaging remarks about the deceased in order to make themselves feel smart. Pretty pitiful, isn't it?
I am Eric's Mother, we we're all together there and we we're going to go to bed and he said he just wanted to hit a casino for a half hour. So in the time he texted his girlfriend and said he was heading back to Imperial Palace and then a half hour later he was dead. He was not some stupid drunk kid, he just finished college and we brought him out here to celebrate, he NEVER would of run two miles to a freeway and ran acrossed it. He was a beautiful man with so much of his life planned. He was a fish biologist, the President of Fisheries Society, loved his parents, and we are dieing ourselves inside, here we we're all there for a little relaxtion and someone stole my child from, stole his money, and was running. We already have investigaters that have all said something is just not right here, so please keep all your negagive comments to yourself until we find out what really happened. There was so many people here who loved him with all our hearts. Please if the driver who hit him reads this, please contact me, I'm not blamming you I just want to know if he suffered or if he said anything to you and just to thank you for being there with him.
seriously jspence, you should be ashamed of yourself. you're honestly a disgusting human being.
please refrain in the future from giving your 2 cents on an individual you don't know..
his own MOTHER just posted what happened. why would you believe otherwise.
oh wait, i forgot that it is YOU who knows him, not his own mother. OF COURSE he would run across the highway, he does that often. silly eric! no, you don't know him. he was MISSING hundreds of dollars...
this must be floating right over your small brain.
let me make it easier for you. DO. NOT. COMMENT. ABOUT. ERIC. ANY. MORE. okay??
all this about "oh, we know him, he would never do that" and then he did it... yes, he DID IT because he was IN TROUBLE.
he wasn't wasted and stumbling across a highway..
what we are trying to say here is that indeed we do know for a fact that eric wouldnt just run across a highway by himself for the fun of it.
seriously, i know first hand how amazing karma can be, and i can't wait until it gets you twats who are seriously argueing with friends and FAMILY about the truth of this story
Well said, makin
My sympathy goes out to the family of this young man. May he rest in peace and may you get the closure and answers you deserve!
I'm sorry for your loss to family and friends.
I'm wondering how you guys are positive he was kidnapped and jumped from a car. He may have been missing hundreds of dollars but that could have been from the gambling.
I'm not trying to disagree with your theory; in fact it's plausible that he could have been offered a ride back to his hotel from some seemingly nice strangers and then robbed when he was in the vehicle with them. He could have decided it's better to jump and take his chances than stay in the vehicle and face expected violence. Security from whatever casino he was at would show if he left with anybody.
Once again, I'm sorry your son and friend is gone. I hope you find out soon what really happened.
This does sound a little fishy. I guess the obvious question is where he was heading to the IP from & if it was the Palms/Rio/Gold Coast, which side of the highway was he hit on.
Mike, read the article. In the first line it says he was hit running east on the southbound 15. What it doesn't say is whether it was south of the flamingo 15 south on-ramp or north of it.
We are so certain that Eric was abducted because his autopsy report shows that he had head injuries that could have only resulted from physical force not of a car.
Eric was a wonderful guy, may he rest in peace.
Please, if Anyone knows anything, please contact me at lrnothem@msn.com We know Eric would never even be that far out and EVER run across a freeway. Our hearts are breaking, we need to know some answers. I know people are thinking Yeah right lady, but Eric was just such a sensible kid, and I just cry and cry thinking about how scared he must of been, please someone, anyone, who saw him in those last minutes, please contact me.
They have freeway cameras. Hopefully one in the vicinity of the accident.
FIY this happened North of the Flamingo interchange per the AP story.
I wish the best for Eric and his family. It's not easy finding out that your son was hit on the side of the road and left to die, and then to find out the next day that he was murdered. Lets have some compassion and leave all the rude comments aside. Eric was a smart, intellegent, and caring friend who was there to enjoy his time, not become a victim of an undeserving crime. My prayers go out to his family and friends.
Look, you need to ignore the ridiculous comments from these people. If you click on their posts and read their history, they are all negative comments they clearly type in between beating their spouse and kids, I'm sure, and on coffee breaks from cleaning casino toilets. These are the people that normal people just really dont like personally anyway and they take out all their insecurities on the web where they don't need to physically confront anyone. They know this to be true, but they'll continue to do it because it's all they have really.
That's a good point about the cameras on I-15. They very well may have caught it on tape.
As far as this paper-it seems to have a lot more local news(like this) than the LVRJ, which seems like a superficial overview of national issues.
Do we know what hotel he was supposedly going to/from?
I'll say one thing, the LVRJ jas the print issue right now, but the Sun has a much better website.
I really doubt this is anything more than it seems -- a young person looking to take the shortcut and was hit by a car.
That area of I-15 sees people struck all the time. People don't want to walk across the bridge and are hit by cars.
If this were something more, the media would eat it up. There is no blackout with this sort of thing.
Sorry about your loss, but I really doubt this is a coverup.
I wish the best for Eric and his family. It's not easy finding out that your son was hit on the side of the road and left to die, and then to find out the next day that he might have been. Lets have some compassion and leave all the rude comments aside. Eric was a smart, intellegent, and caring friend who was there to enjoy his time, not become a victim of an undeserving crime. My prayers go out to his family and friends.
My condolences go out to the Notham family. They will be in my prayers. To everyone who has negative comments to make please remember that this family is going through a terrible time and to keep your opinions to your self. Eric was a great guy and I thoroughly enjoyed his presence as a classmate. Once again all my thoughts and prayers go out to the Notham Family.
you know people are brutal unless it them then they cry like all of us do..i do agree about the cover up ....sad very sad...
None of you were there. I was. Please let his family grieve in peace. This has been a tradegy for all involved. Please let the NHP do thier investigation without speculating on what happened.
There is not a cover-up. This was a horrible, tragic accident where many lives have been effected.
To the friends of Eric speculating that this was a random crime: You are doing the family no good. Please stop. I know you think you are helping, but that is not what happened.
"To the friends of Eric speculating that this was a random crime: You are doing the family no good. Please stop. I know you think you are helping, but that is not what happened."
So you're telling everyone to stop speculating at the same time that you are speculating that "that is not what happened"?
Tad bit hypocritical, eh?
My prayers go out for the Nothem family. I cannot imagine the heartbreak they feel right now. May God wrap you all in His loving care.
This sucks.
What a waste.
My condolences to his family members.
Ignore the A"# holes on this site, misery loves company.
I wouldn't be surprised if some kind of cover-up where going on.
Good luck with metro"they can't do anything right.
I hope you figure it out you will probably have to do it on your own though.
Mike123:
No, not a "tad bit hypocritical" at all. Please read: I was there. It is not speculation when you are a witness.
Fair enough if you were an actual witness. So you're saying that he was trying to cross the interstate?
I could see how that would be a really, really dangerous stretch to try and cross. From what I've read, quite a few people have thought about and/or done it.
This is really frustrating to see people talk about Eric like he was some sort of drunken fool. I knew Eric and he was one smart guy, he avoided bad situations, he would not try to save money or get thrills by running across the freeway......away from where he was staying. He was not a "hiker."
The police have told us that this is suspicious and that he was assaulted. He was robbed of everything except for his ID, and thank God for that because otherwise who knows how long it would have taken to find out what happened to him.
I just wish they would have asked him for it because anyone who knows him knows that he would've given them everything he had without a fight.
I don't believe that this is an intentional cover up, the facts aren't available to the paper the way they're available to the family and friends.
I am just so disgusted to have people thinking of Eric as some irresponsible idiot that did this to himself. The fact is he was mugged and beaten and somehow he ended up on I-15. God I hope there are cameras so some light can be shed on whatever happened to Eric that night.
My sincere condolences to the family.
I was on the freeway that morning and saw where the death had occurred. It is not where you would expect a pedestrian to cross. It was almost smack in between Spring Mtn and Flamingo.
Also I've dealt with the unit that does these investigtions. They are very thorough. They take the time to get their investigation done right.
What the hell is wrong with you. Those things happened years ago. How many of us have had a drink before we were 21!!The first two items we're misdeameanors because he happened to be at a party. And speeding, come on, who doesn't. I can bet your a million dollars Eric will not have any drugs in his system. He has come a long way since then. He was an honor student at college, well respected in all his jobs. These we're adolescent things that happened when he was a teenager. We're you perfect? Don't you EVER look up something about my son again. Shame on you for making an even harder situation worse. Are you that perfect in life, that you have to condemn another human being? You have NO idea the pain his Dad and I are going thru right now! I hope you think next time before you ever post something again.SHAME ON YOU!!!!
kg10110...
You have no idea what a bitch karma can be. I wish it upon you in heaps.
kg10110, new member huh? check the IP address. You're no doubt the same dirtbag who goes by "LasVegas2009". Too cowardly to use your usual nickname. This a-hole likes to post other people's personal information online. Sooner or later it's gonna bite you in the ass when someone sues you or knocks your teeth out.
Jennack, he wasn't left alone to die. This was not a hit and run. The driver and witnesses stopped to assist.
I apologize. This was not the time nor the place.
My original intentions of that comment are unclear even to me, but the last thing I want to do is add to the sure pain being felt by Eric's many friends and family.
I have requested my comment be removed and do regret posting it.
Please forgive me.
I am really appalled at some of the comments on this blog site. I don't usually respond but I had to put my two cents in. I understand that this is not a memorial page but a discussion page but isn't that so everyone can discuss what happened, Not judge or make ridiculous accusations. I want 'jaesun' to know that his comment (how many times have we heard "well, he wouldn't do that, i KNOW him" and it turns out he ended up doing it?") is WAY off. I also want kg10110 to know that he is way off as to the character of Eric. If your comments are unclear even to you then maybe you should keep them to yourself! I have known Eric for a lot of years and if you knew him you would know how responsible he was. He truly has come a long way. He was great with kids (he babysat) and adults alike. He was trustworthy, kind, and had a well defined plan for his future, He was also hard working - even as a teenager. He grew up to be a fine upstanding adult. There is no way he was where he was unless something happened. My heart goes out to his entire family and I pray that they find out the truth so they can find peace if that is at all possible. He will truly be missed by all!
Regardless of the circumstances, please have some sympathy. He was a young man, I'm sure, with many loved ones left behind. My condolences...
I live in Colorado, and have visited LV probably 15 times over the last 5 years. I have experience driving and walking around LV. Both modes of transportation are challenging to say the least. Add alchohol consumption to the mix of drivers and pedestrians, and getting around can be downright dangerous.
If this tragedy turns out to be a crime, it should serve as a warning as to how dangerous LV, like any large city, can be. I am always aware of my personal safety while in LV. Even though I'm hyper cautious, I was a crime victim last December when my car was broken into in the Pallazzo self-parking garage. I had many possessions stolen, but my losses were replaceable.
The family and friends of the deceased have suffered an incalculable loss. My condolences to you all.
To Eric's Mom, Dad, brothers and dear friends, words can't even discribe the incrediable loss you are going thru right now. Just know that ALL your friends are carrying some of that grief for you. Whatever the outcome turns out to be, Eric will alway's be in your hearts and no one will be able to take that from you. I hope this site will get you some answers from truly honest respectable people, and all the rest of them be dammed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you,as Eric is from above, love Barb, Leah, and Jim.
I'm so sorry for the Families in this accident. I do believe some facts are missing here. I've only meet him once and seemed like a very nice guy. He had to be picked up and dropped off somewhere.
All those scum bags out there your day is coming believe it.
My understanding is that this is my husbands 2nd cousin. I cannot imagine the loss of a child in any way. Our thoughts and prayers are with you! And, yes, I know this is not a condolence page.
To all the wonderful people who have contacted me, thank you so much for all your wonderful comments and prayers. By reading his facebook, I had no idea how many people loved him. We we're truly blessed to have him in our lives. I know this is not a memorial page, but I just wanted to let all the writers know that Eric was truly an amazing human being who loved his Mom and Dad at 22 more than anything. You have made us so proud Eric and we will forever miss you. Love, Your MaMa
The other day I saw fit to speak my mind on this subject. I used no profanity, I did not seek to villanize this kid in anyway. I just questioned how and why this kid found himself in that situation. Yet the staff of this so called online news paper saw fit to remove my post. I guess You can question things as long as they are the right things, according to the shining example of journalism aka the Las Vegas Sun. Bah!
I am another friend of Eric's and go to college with him. He is a great guy and a great friend. As others have said he would have never done this. There is most definitely foul play involved. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I will do my best to make the service this Saturday.
Sean
It really does just make me sick to read some of these comments, people can just be so cruel and not even think about what it is doing to his family and friends --- and how poorly it looks upon you to make these horrible comments! I've known Eric for many years along with his younger brother Adam. I can't even imagine how his entire family feels and I would never want to feel that pain - but they are feeling it as we speak and how dare any of you think you have the right to run your mouth about someone you dont know!
With that said - Eric was an amazing person. I can honestly say I've never seen him angry - always smiling. He made everyone laugh and was a great friend. It is sad how rarely you find genuine, honest, kind people these days and I can definitely say he was one of them. So may you rest in peace Eric and I look forward to seeing you again one day. My deepest sympathies for his family.