SUV drives off 5th floor of Laughlin casino parking garage

Published Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | 10:31 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | 10:37 p.m.

A 19-year-old motorist is in critical condition after his SUV plunged from the fifth floor of a casino parking structure in Laughlin.

Officers responded about 8:30 a.m. to Edgewater Hotel and Casino at 2020 Casino Drive, Metro Police said.

The Golden Valley, Ariz., man was driving a 1998 Ford Expedition when it struck a barrier wall, which collapsed, and the SUV continued off the fifth floor onto the pavement below.

On its descent, the Ford flipped and landed on its roof, police said.

The SUV roof was crushed, and emergency personnel removed from the driver using pneumatic tools, police said.

The driver was taken to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center and was later transported by Flight for Life to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, police said.

This collision remains under investigation.

Metro covers Laughlin, about 100 miles south of Las Vegas.