Passenger dies in three-vehicle crash in North Las Vegas

Published Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 | 3:32 p.m.

Updated Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 | 8:26 p.m.

Fatal crash

The 51-year-old passenger of a burgundy Hyundai sedan died at the scene of a three-vehicle crash in North Las Vegas about 3 p.m. Monday, North Las Vegas Police said.

The Hyundai's 47-year-old driver, a North Las Vegas resident, apparently failed to yield the right of way as the sedan turned in front of a 2008 Dodge Ram 4500 tow truck driven by a 28-year-old North Las Vegas resident as it traveled west on Craig Road and Commerce Street, police said. The truck collided with the Hyundai, causing both vehicles to spin out of control and strike a 2005 gray Hyundai driven by a 56-year-old North Las Vegas resident, police said.

The passenger in the burgundy Hyundai was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical crews. Drivers of both Hyundais were taken to University Medical Center's trauma center in serious condition.

The tow truck driver suffered minor injuries, police said.

Driver error appears to be a factor, while alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash, police said. Charges will be determined at the end of the investigation by the Major Crash Investigation Team, police said.

This is the fourth fatal traffic crash in North Las Vegas this year.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By blood

10/19/09 at 4:03 p.m.

Suggest removal

To: The Sun
The Crash location map is nowhere near the site described in the article.
By Tim Richardson (Staff)

10/19/09 at 8:28 p.m.

Suggest removal

It's been fixed. Thanks, blood.
By unlv702

10/19/09 at 10:49 p.m.

Suggest removal

Prayers are with the family of the deceased. I witnessed the aftermath of this accident on my way home with my son, only two blocks away from our home.

Something needs to be done with the speed limit on Craig. Too many vehicles approaching commerce at an extremely fast rate.

Although the cause of the accident in this case is alleged to be driver error ......I find it hard to believe that the oncoming Tow Truck failed to see the red vehicle enter the intersection, into his path. Given the extent of the damage to the red vehicle, I'm pretty certain the tow truck driver was driving well beyond his speed limit. This needs to be investigated thoroughly.
By ls1

11/2/09 at 5:05 p.m.

Suggest removal

I find it hard to believe that unlv702 without being an eye witness could put any blame on anyone let alone the tow truck driver. When a 10,000 lb plus truck hits a 3000 lb car, the result is total distruction of the lighter car. Large truck do not stop anywhere near as fast or in the same distance as cars. I sure that the tow truck driver is devastated and will have many sleepless nights because of the accident. The last thing anyone needs is a bystander who didn't even see the wreck start throwing blame at anyone, especially when some one is killed.