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Traffic backs up as people try to leave Las Vegas Motor Speedway after the Kobalt Tools 400 on Sunday, March 11, 2013.
Published Sunday, March 10, 2013 | 4:30 p.m.
Updated Monday, March 11, 2013 | 10:53 a.m.
Fatal crash on Interstate 15
A woman killed Sunday in a collision on Interstate 15 moments after a NASCAR race ended at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway was identified by the Clark County Coroner’s Office as Rebecca Steeprow, 31, of Las Vegas.
The collision between a car and tractor-trailer occurred about 3 p.m. on southbound I-15 near Cheyenne Road, Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Jeremie Elliott said. Steeprow, who was driving the car, was taken to University Medical Center, where she later died, officials said.
The accident shut down southbound I-15 and caused several hours of delays for fans trying to leave the racetrack.
Metro Police officials urged NASCAR fans at the race to remain in the parking lots and await instruction from officers or security.
The interstate was reopened, but the speedway parking lots were only 80 percent empty as of about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Metro Police spokesman Bill Cassell said.
The accident stretched Nevada Highway Patrol resources thin, requiring the assistance of North Las Vegas Police, Trooper Loy Hixson said.
Seven troopers tended to the site of the crash, while four more redirected traffic onto the Las Vegas Beltway. Two North Las Vegas Police officers directed traffic on Craig Road, Hixson said.
The accident outside the speedway happened after Matt Kenseth won the Kobalt Tools 400 on his 41st birthday in just his third start for his new team, Joe Gibbs Racing. He barely held off Kasey Kahne for his 25th career victory.
“I was real nervous all day,” Kenseth said. “(Kahne) had the best car. I told (crew chief) Jason (Ratcliff) with about 12 to go that I was sorry we were going to lose. We were just too tight. ... We didn’t have the fastest car there, but we had it where we needed it to be.”
Kenseth took charge by taking only fuel on the final pit stop during caution while almost everybody else replaced two tires. He took the lead and held onto it, using his veteran savvy — and a few screamed instructions at his new spotter — to keep Kahne’s impressive Chevrolet behind him to the finish
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Said on the news the driver of the car was DRUNK..
How crass. Three full paragraphs at the end of an article about an accident that claimed someone's life are dedicated to who won a car race and how 'cool' it is that is happened on his birthday. Alcohol involvement or not, the woman who died has family and friends that love her and are devestated today. Shame on you Brian Nordli and shame on your editors for approving the article. Have a little class.
I agree. The article morphed from the death of this woman to the winner of a NASCAR race? Her death is tied to the race?
If alcohol related..it seems to be a badge of honor among the knuckleheads out there to drink and then drive. You don't do that anywhere...and you especially don't do that in this town. I'm amazed more and more each day how many people are driving under the influence. Lay off the free cocktails.
thats a dangerous area out there near Cheyenne and i-15.lots of big trucks
I can't believe this article was posted the way it appears! It seems that a persons life was less important than the traffic it caused leaving the speedway. Only the first two paragraphs speak of the life lost or the accident, the rest of the article was about traffic and the NASCAR winner! Shame on you LVSun!
I was first on scene at the horrific crash and it was devastating to see a young Lady pass away in front of us. The poor trucker that has to live with the horror that was put into his path must be going through hell. The race was secondary and the family and friends of Rebecca Steeprow must be so sad. That was her name and she made a huge mistake and it cost her, we all make mistakes and get to move on. Shame on the Sun for hyping a boring race with loss of a life involving a woman in the prime of her life. Gods Speed Rebecca...