Motorcyclist identified in suspected DUI crash

By Mary Manning

Published Monday, June 29, 2009 | 8:30 a.m.

Updated Monday, June 29, 2009 | 2:43 p.m.

The Nevada Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash involving a motorcycle and a mini sport utility vehicle this morning on the highway between Las Vegas and Pahrump.

The Clark County Coroner's Office has identified the motorcyclist as 47-year-old Randy Harris of Pahrump. A spokeswoman for the coroner said Harris will be examined Tuesday.

The eastern lanes of State Route 160 were closed to traffic heading toward Las Vegas, the highway patrol said.

The highway patrol said driving under the influence could be a factor in the crash. The 27-year-old woman driving a Mazda Tribute mini SUV made a left turn in front of the motorcyclist, who could not avoid the collision, said Trooper Kevin Honea of the Nevada Highway Patrol.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was given a field sobriety test and failed, Honea said. She has been booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

The collision occurred at Blue Diamond Road and El Capitan Way. Traffic was re-routed onto Fort Apache Drive and Pebble Road.

The highway patrol is continuing its investigation into the collison.