Road-rage suspect tased on U.S. 95 dies at hospital

By Jackie Valley

Published Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010 | 12:08 p.m.

Updated Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010 | 4:04 p.m.

The Metro Police homicide unit is investigating the death of a man who was tased Wednesday night after authorities say he was acting erratically on U.S. 95.

The Clark County Coroner's Office today identified the man as 21-year-old Eduardo Lopez-Hernandez, of Henderson. The cause and manner of his death haven't been determined. The coroner's office said that process could take six to eight weeks.

Lopez-Hernandez died at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, according to the coroner's office.

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Joseph Fackrell said Lopez-Hernandez was driving erratically and collided with at least one vehicle in the northbound lanes of U.S. 95 near Charleston Boulevard at about 7 p.m. Wednesday, soon after the highway re-opened following a chemical spill earlier in the day.

Fackrell said the man then got out of his car and acted violently toward other motorists. Lopez-Hernandez eventually jumped the highway median and crossed into traffic in the southbound lanes of U.S. 95, Fackrell said.

When NHP troopers approached him, officials said Lopez-Hernandez became violent and combative with troopers.

Lopez-Hernandez started a physical altercation with NHP troopers, forcing them to use a Taser to subdue him, the Nevada Department of Public Safety said. After Lopez-Hernandez was controlled, officers noticed he wasn't breathing and began performing life-saving measures, the highway patrol said. He was pronounced dead at Sunrise Hospital.

Several civilians and officers suffered injuries during altercations with Lopez-Hernandez, authorities said.

Metro wasn't releasing details about its death investigation. Officials are asking any witnesses to contact the Metro Police homicide unit at (702) 828-3521 or Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555.