Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Officials say alcohol, speed possible factors in crash that killed 3

Updated Tuesday, April 5, 2011 | 11:11 a.m.

Approximate area of crash

Nevada Highway Patrol troopers believe alcohol and speed might have been factors in a fiery, rollover accident early Sunday in a desert area east of the Las Vegas Valley that killed three people.

Sergio Diaz, 20, of North Las Vegas, and Omar Jimenez, 18, of Las Vegas, died at the scene, according to the Clark County Coroner's Office. A 15-year-old girl, who has not been identified, also died at the scene, troopers said.

Nevada Highway Patrol officials said the single-vehicle accident occurred about 3 a.m. on State Route 147 at mile marker 40, which is near Pabco Road.

A white Chevrolet Suburban was traveling west on State Route 147 when it drove off the road, overturned and burst into flames, officials said.

The accident ejected three people: Jimenez, 18-year-old Eliza Cortez and a 15-year-old girl, officials said.

Diaz, who was driving, and another 15-year-old girl were unable to escape when the Suburban burst into flames, troopers said.

Cortez and a 15-year-old girl were taken to University Medical Center's trauma unit with injuries not believed to be life-threatening, troopers said.

Trooper Joseph Fackrell said none of the passengers were wearing seatbelts when the crash occurred.

Investigators believe alcohol and speed contributed to the crash, but they haven't determined an exact cause.

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