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.
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 | 10:35 a.m.
UNLV basketball recruit Zaon Collins, 19, is being charged with DUI resulting in death and reckless driving in a fatal wreck last month, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson announced today.
The charges are punishable by up to 26 years in prison.
“Regardless of your age or status in our community, if you cause the death of another person because you were acting recklessly and driving impaired, my office will seek justice,” Wolfson said in a statement.
Collins tested positive for THC, the intoxicating ingredient in marijuana, above the level at which a person is considered impaired, according to Wolfson’s office.
Collins was speeding north on Fort Apache Road in a 2016 Dodge Challenger about 3:20 p.m. on Dec. 30 when he hit another car turning onto Furnace Gulch Avenue near Gomer Road, police said.
Collins was traveling up to 85 mph in a residential area with a 35 mph speed limit, and at the time of impact, he was going over 60 mph, Wolfson’s office said.
Eric Echevarria, 52, died from injuries suffered in the crash.
Metro 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.
“It’s unfortunate that they’re making this kid look like a hero just because he knows how to play basketball,” said Evelina Sulrzycki, Echevarria’s sister-in-law.
A preliminary court hearing for Collins is scheduled for Feb. 17.
David Chesnoff, Collins’ attorney, last week said it was Collins’ intention to plead not guilty.
The DUI count is punishable by two to 20 years in prison and the reckless driving charge one to six years, Wolfson’s office said.
