Edward Dias, a 77-year-old retired Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department officer, was charged in Las Vegas in connection with the city’s first deadly hit-and-run of 2026, FOX5 reported. The victim, 44-year-old Lynessa Perkins of Kansas, was walking northbound on Las Vegas Boulevard near East Russell Road with her pet Pit Bull when Dias’ Cadillac allegedly struck her.
The crash occurred just after 1 a.m. Thursday. Police found Perkins unresponsive in the roadway; she later died at the hospital, 8 News Now reported. Witnesses said Dias’ California-plated vehicle briefly stopped before leaving. A bystander recorded the driver and the Cadillac, providing crucial evidence. Police later located Dias and the vehicle at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.
Dias told police he knew he had struck “something” but could not identify it, FOX5 reported. He called his insurance company instead of law enforcement. Dias claimed his car could not make left turns, but video showed it performing a U-turn after the collision. He was booked on a felony charge for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Perkins, who leaves behind three children, was struck in an area known for heavy nighttime traffic, Hoodline reported. The LVMPD urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Dias, who has posted $100,000 bail, is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Tuesday.
