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March 29, 2024

UNLV commit Zaon Collins facing DUI count after fatal crash

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Steve Marcus

Former Bishop Gorman basketball player and UNLV commit Zaon Collins, 19, appears in court at the Regional Justice Center Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. Collins is facing DUI and reckless driving counts after a crash that killed a motorist Wednesday afternoon in the southwest valley.

Updated Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 | 3:47 p.m.

Zaon Collins Appears in Court

Former Bishop Gorman basketball player and UNLV commit Zaon Collins, 19, appears in court at the Regional Justice Center Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. Collins is facing DUI and reckless driving counts after a crash that killed a motorist Wednesday afternoon in the southwest valley. Launch slideshow »

Heralded Bishop Gorman basketball player and UNLV commit Zaon Collins was booked on DUI and reckless driving counts after causing a crash that killed a motorist Wednesday afternoon in the southwest valley, according to Metro Police.

Police spotted a jar containing a "green leafy substance" in Collins' car and said he showed signs "consistent with being under the influence of marijuana," according to an arrest report.

Police subsequently obtained a warrant to collect blood samples from Collins, according to the report, which did not list any results.

Collins, 19, was speeding north on Fort Apache Road in a 2016 Dodge Challenger about 3:20 p.m. when he struck a Hyundai Accent, which was heading in the opposite direction and turning onto Furnace Gulch Avenue near Gomer Road, police said.

Collins told police the car turned in front of him, according to the arrest report.

Data from the Challenger's airbag control module showed the car was traveling 88 mph in a 35 mph zone just before the crash, the report said.

The other driver, a 52-year-old Las Vegas man, died at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, police said. The Clark County Coroner's Office identified him as Eric Echaverria and said he died of blunt force injuries.

Collins was taken to University Medical Center with moderate injuries and later booked at the Clark County Detention Center.

He appeared today in court, where Judge Joe Bonaventure, noting Collins had no previous trouble with the law and "significant ties to the community," granted his release without bail. The Clark County District Attorney's Office had asked for $150,000 bail.

The judge also ordered Collins, whose parents were in the courtroom, to be subjected to high-level monitoring and required him to stay out of trouble, not drive or consume alcohol or drugs.

"It's extremely important that you understand the conditions of your release here and that you fully comply with all conditions, because this is an opportunity that will only be granted once," Bonaventure told Collins, who responded with a "yes sir."

Collins’ attorney, David Chesnoff, said his client would abide by any conditions imposed by the court. Collins has been “an exemplary young man” who has never even been in trouble at school, he said.

Collins committed to UNLV in August as one of the school’s most heralded recruits in years. The superstar point guard has led Bishop Gorman to state championships in each of the past three years and averaged 14 points and eight assists per game as a junior.

As the No. 42-ranked player in the country, Collins was expected to lead a turnaround at UNLV after choosing his hometown school over Arizona, USC and Arizona State. He was set to join the program for the 2021-22 season and would have been an integral part of the team as a freshman.

UNLV Athletics today released a statement acknowledging the situation.

"We are aware of the tragic event that occurred yesterday and are in the process of gathering more information," the statement said. "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those impacted."

When he signed his letter of intent to UNLV in November, Collins said he took pride in representing his hometown.

“It means a lot,” Collins said. “To show the Vegas community that I love Las Vegas. I’m from here, raised here.”