Las Vegas Sun

April 25, 2024

Las Vegas freeway reopens after truck wreck, driver arrest

Updated Friday, April 14, 2017 | 2:45 p.m.

A truck crash and fuel spill forced a seven-hour closure on Friday of a key stretch of the busiest freeway in Las Vegas, and the Nevada Highway Patrol said the driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Northbound lanes of Interstate 15 reopened about 1:30 p.m. near downtown, after crews cleaned up about 200 gallons (757 liters) of diesel spilled when the tractor-trailer hit a freeway barrier about 6:30 a.m., Trooper Jason Buratczuk said.

The wreck snarled the morning commute for thousands of drivers on the interstate, which is the main route between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.

The driver, John Cuellar, 56, wasn't hurt in the crash. He was booked into the Las Vegas city jail pending a court appearance on misdemeanor suspicion of driving under the influence and failure to maintain a travel lane charges, Buratczuk said.

Cuellar's hometown wasn't immediately known, but Buratczuk said he had a Nevada driver's license.

The big rig refrigerated trailer was loaded with ice cream, but Buratczuk said he didn't immediately know the origin or destination of Cuellar's trip