Police: After driver was shot dead, his car caused several crashes

Las Vegas Sun

Monday, Aug. 6, 2012 | 4:45 p.m.

The seemingly unoccupied car zipped by a Metro Police officer Sunday evening before causing multiple crashes and finally coming to a rest.

The answer to the bizarre scenario lay inside the Nissan Maxima — a man slumped over, dead from apparent gunshot wounds, Metro Police said.

The Clark County Coroner’s Office identified the man as 30-year-old Tito Cleveland, of Las Vegas, who died from multiple gunshot wounds. His death was ruled a homicide.

Police said the incident began shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday when a patrol officer near Lake Mead and Martin L. King boulevards saw the Nissan Maxima run a red light at the intersection.

The car, which to the officer appeared empty, collided with two other vehicles before crossing the median into the northbound travel lanes of Martin L. King Boulevard, police said.

The car then continued southbound and, in the process, crossed all northbound travel lanes before entering a parking lot on the east side of Martin L. King Boulevard, police said.

But it didn’t end there.

From there, the car re-entered the northbound travel lanes and continued heading south until it collided with a third vehicle, ultimately coming to a rest, police said. No one was injured in any of the collisions.

Detectives believe Cleveland was shot while inside the vehicle at an unknown location. No arrests have been made, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro’s homicide section at 702-828-3521. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or visit crimestoppersofnv.com.