Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Man, 20, dies from injuries after ‘car surfing’ in North Las Vegas

Updated Tuesday, April 19, 2011 | 9:36 a.m.

Matthew Galvin

Matthew Galvin

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A 20-year-old man who fell from the hood of a moving car while apparently "car surfing" Monday night in North Las Vegas has died.

The Clark County Coroner's Office identified him this morning as North Las Vegas resident Matthew Galvin. The coroner hasn't determined his cause of death.

Police spokeswoman Chrissie Coon said University Medical Center notified authorities at 3 a.m. of Galvin's death.

The victim's 17-year-old brother, who was driving the 1988 Ford Bronco during the incident, could face charges pending the outcome of the investigation, Coon said.

The incident occurred about 9 p.m. in the 400 block of Violetta Avenue, which is southwest of the intersection of Centennial Parkway and Commerce Street. Police said Galvin suffered significant head trauma.

A 15-year-old girl was also in the vehicle when the incident happened. Police said the vehicle was traveling at 10 to 15 mph when Galvin fell from the hood.

Authorities don't believe alcohol or drugs contributed to the incident.

“Kids don’t realize how dangerous it really is to stand on top of a moving vehicle,” Coon said. “We’ve had incidents like this before. Unfortunately, we’ve even had fatals from kids car surfing.”

In March, a 16-year-old girl spent a week in a pediatric intensive care unit after another "car surfing" accident in North Las Vegas, police said.

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