Driver arrested after car hits police motorcycle along road

By Pashtana Usufzy

Published Tuesday, March 3, 2015 | 7:52 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, March 3, 2015 | 4:30 p.m.

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after the car he was driving hit a Metro Police motorcycle and an SUV on the shoulder of Summerlin Parkway this morning, police said.

The crash snarled traffic in the area for hours.

The driver, Brandon Harris of Las Vegas, suffered minor injuries in the crash about 6:45 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of the parkway, west of North Buffalo Drive, Metro Police said.

A Metro officer had pulled over a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer for a minor traffic violation and was standing next to his motorcycle when a 2009 Honda Accord driven by Harris ran onto the right shoulder and hit the bike from behind, officials said.

The motorcycle hit the Chevrolet, and the Honda spun out before hitting the left side of the SUV, police said.

No other injuries were reported.

Though the officer did end up on the ground, it is not believed he was hit by the vehicle, Officer Miguel Garcia said.

The eastbound lanes of Summerlin Parkway were shut down in the area and were not reopened until about 11 a.m., Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Loy Hixson said.

Whenever law enforcement is involved in a collision, investigators have to ensure every angle of the crash is documented, Garcia said.

He said the two eastbound lanes were closed to preserve debris evidence and to ensure investigators could walk the scene. He added that road closures must be determined based on the size and nature of a given accident.