Latest news with #NevadaHighwayPatrol
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
‘Makes zero sense': Outrage after accused drunk driver in fatal Las Vegas crash only faces DUI charge
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A driver who reportedly failed a sobriety test after he hit and killed a motorcyclist was only charged with driving under the influence and not death, according to court records. 8 News Now has confirmed the driver of the pick-up truck accused of striking 35-year-old Kyle Burrell was Carlos Roberto Hernandez. 'Totally avoidable': Friends upset after losing Las Vegas man in crash involving suspected drunk driver Burrell was riding his motorcycle on July 4 around midnight. He was getting off the North Durango exit on the 215 when a speeding driver in a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado crashed into him, according to Nevada State Police Highway Patrol. The impact reportedly sent Burrell off his bike. Nevada Highway Patrol said he died at a hospital as a result of the crash injuries. 'Makes zero sense as to why the defendant was only charged with just a DUI misdemeanor,' Ofelia Markarian, Burrell's attorney, said. 'This is a clear situation where it's a DUI resulting in a fatality. It makes zero sense. I've never seen anything like this.' According to court documents 8 News Now obtained, Hernandez had 'red bloodshot watery eyes' and a strong smell of an 'intoxicating beverage.' Police also observed two green Buzz Balls next to his truck. A witness who was first on the scene provided 8 News Now with video of the crash. They previously said Hernandez was tossing the Buzz Balls out of his vehicle right after he crashed. Hernandez admitted to marijuana usage at UMC Trauma, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol. 'The defendant was charged with a misdemeanor DUI. He was released on his own recognizance, meaning he did not have to post bail, when he just killed somebody,' Markarian said. Given all the facts investigators collected at the scene, Markarian said authorities dropped the ball in not charging Hernandez with DUI resulting in death. 'I've never seen a situation where a defendant is undercharged, with the amount of evidence that we have in this case,' she said. 'We have a dead body.' In court documents, investigators with Nevada State Police Highway Patrol stated if Hernandez is found at fault, the charges would 'possibly be upgraded to DUI resulting in death.' In a statement, Hernandez's attorney Paola Armeni told 8 News Now: 'While the loss of life is always tragic, an investigation is ongoing and we should be careful not to rush to judgment when all the facts are unknown.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Utah man identified as driver in fatal single-car crash in Nevada
ELKO, Nevada () — A Utah man died in a car crash in Nevada over the weekend, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP). Aaron Steffens, 42, of Salt Lake City, was identified as the driver, and he suffered fatal injuries after reportedly crashing his grey 2001 Ford Mustang coupe. 'The driver of the Mustang input steering to the left and the vehicle rotated in a counterclockwise direction,' NHP said in a press release. 'The Mustang traveled off the roadway and into the center median where it overturned.' Fatal crash in Midvale, motorcycle engulfed in flames Officials said Steffens was traveling east on I-80 at the time of the crash. Troopers with NHP responded to the crash just after 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. NHP reported that it has investigated seven fatal crashes so far this year, which have resulted in eight deaths. There is no further information at this time. Alleged hit-and-run driver turns himself in after injuring 77-year-old woman in Roy Hiker life-flighted out of American Fork Canyon Utah man identified as driver in fatal single-car crash in Nevada Palestinian student Mohsen Mahdawi's release offers hope amid Trump crackdown Layton man charged for operating an illegal THC cartridge lab out of his home Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lombardo ‘has full confidence' in public safety director amid police retirements, staffing shortage
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo 'has full confidence' in the leadership of the director of the Department of Public Safety amid recent retirements and a staffing shortage at Nevada State Police. As the 8 News Now Investigators first reported, Col. Patrick Conmay retired last week after 50 years of service in law enforcement, a spokesperson confirmed. Lt. Col. Martin Mleczko also retired in recent weeks after more than 20 years of service. George Togliatti, the director, was leading Nevada State Police as his position oversees it among other units. Nevada Highway Patrol rebranded as Nevada State Police in 2021. Some continue to refer to the department by its old name or a combination of the two. 'Governor Lombardo has full confidence in the ongoing leadership of Director Togliatti, who continues to lead the Nevada Department of Public Safety, which includes the Nevada Highway Patrol,' a spokesperson for the governor said Tuesday. Togliatti was serving his second stint as the department's director. In 2004, Republican Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn appointed Togliatti, according to an archived press release. He later became vice president of security, surveillance and safety at Mandalay Bay before Democratic Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak appointed him to the position again in 2019. Both Conmay and Mleczko appeared before committees at the Nevada Legislature in February amid the department's nearly 45% trooper vacancy rate. As of that month, 218 troopers patrolled statewide. The state budget calls for 392 trooper positions, meaning just about half of the workforce is staffed. For the first time since 2017, more people joined the department than separated in 2024, department leadership and Lombardo have said, noting recruitment efforts over the past year have been successful but that recruits tended to favor parole and probation over patrol. The governor told the 8 News Now Investigators in March that raises this session were unlikely amid a tight state budget and likely fewer federal dollars. The raises last session came through Senate Bill 440. The deadline for any new legislation this session has passed. Lombardo did not respond to comments from state Democrats that expected federal government cuts from Republicans and President Donald Trump would impact the governor's budget proposal, including the effect on state employees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man, 25, arrested after suspected DUI in deadly Las Vegas valley crash
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A 25-year-old Las Vegas man was arrested after a deadly crash over the weekend that left one person dead and several others hurt. Fredrick Tuiletufuga was arrested on Saturday following the crash on westbound Summerlin Parkway near Anasazi Drive. According to Nevada State Police, Tuiletufuga was behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler when he hit an abandoned Toyota Camry parked on the right shoulder. Suspected DUI crash in Summerlin leaves 1 dead, 3 injured The impact caused the Jeep to veer off the road and overturn. While overturning, a passenger inside the Jeep was thrown out of the vehicle. The Jeep continued west before falling back down the concrete embankment underneath the Anasazi Drive overpass. A passenger identified as 22-year-old Grat Walker of Las Vegas was pronounced dead at the scene. Tuiletufuga and two others were taken to a nearby hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Tuiletufuga was taken into custody after police reported signs of impairment. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on multiple charges, including felony DUI resulting in death or substantial bodily harm and failure to maintain a travel lane. Police said they also found marijuana inside the vehicle. Results of toxicology samples from less than 2 hours after the crash showed Tuiletufuga's blood alcohol concentration was .16, double the legal limit of .08. Tuiletufuga made his first court appearance Tuesday and was released on his recognizance. He was due back in court on Thursday. The Nevada Highway Patrol reminds drivers to make safe and responsible choices. Driving under the influence continues to be a leading cause of deadly crashes on Nevada roadways. Troopers urge everyone: never drive impaired. The risks are too high, and the consequences can be tragic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
Vigil honors dozens killed in crashes along Las Vegas highways
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Family and friends joined law enforcement and community advocates Friday for a vigil to honor those killed on Southern Nevada highways. In 2024, 412 people lost their lives in crashes on Nevada roadways, including 293 in Clark County. Nevada Highway Patrol held the annual event at its headquarters near Bermuda and Sunset Roads to remember 88 people who died in their jurisdiction. 'You never get over that pain,' Diane Malone said. 'It's with you all the time.' Malone attended Friday's event to remember her daughter and son-in-law who were hit and killed by a drunk driver in 2018. 'They were just sitting at a stoplight waiting for the light to change,' Malone said. 'And he rammed them at over 100 miles an hour. They didn't have a chance.' Malone was one of many people who showed up to offer support as law enforcement and other community members spoke on the importance of what they called a commitment to reclaim the roadways. 'It's important that they know,' Nevada Highway Patrol Major Kevin Honea said. 'That we feel that loss too.' Major Honea and several others spoke on their efforts to focus on the faces behind the tragedies they deal with daily. During the ceremony, the name of each person killed was read while troopers lit candles to remember them. 'It's important for everybody to know that we understand that that's a father, that's a sister,' Major Honea said. 'Everybody had an empty table at Christmas last year.' More people died in crashes across Clark County in 2024 compared to 2023, according to Nevada State Police. Statistics released in January cited a 6% rise in overall fatalities, with impairment and speeding listed as top factors. Major Honea also spoke with 8 News Now Friday about work to make changes and increase safety. 'We do what we can, obviously with the legislative session that we are currently in,' Major Honea said. 'There are a lot of traffic safety initiatives, there are a lot of little tweaks to the law.' Malone expressed her ongoing grief and sadness, which she described as never-ending. She hopes her story serves as a reminder to never drive impaired. 'Just never drive drunk. There is absolutely no excuse for it,' Malone concluded. 'There are too many other options out there as far as transportation.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
