Henderson man identified in fatal crash near speedway

By Cara McCoy

Monday, Sept. 7, 2009 | 2:25 p.m.

The Nevada Highway Patrol on Monday released the name of a man killed in a crash that occurred Friday near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Jonathon David Lee Williams, 20, of Henderson, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Las Vegas Boulevard after his Jeep Cherokee Laredo struck a gravel truck shortly after 9 a.m., highway patrol spokesman Sgt. Kevin Honea said.

Authorities said the Jeep Cherokee was traveling northbound on Las Vegas Boulevard and for unknown reasons crossed the center line into the southbound travel lane, directly in the path of a Peterbuilt gravel hauler.

The driver of the gravel truck steered sharply to the right but was unable to avoid the collision, investigators said. The left front of the Jeep Cherokee struck the left side of the truck.

Williams was pronounced dead at the scene.

The highway patrol has investigated 34 fatal crashes this year that have resulted in 37 deaths.