A Las Vegas man was arrested after a three-vehicle crash Monday in the northwest valley that left at least one person with life-threatening injuries, police said. Investigators say a pickup truck ran a red light and slammed into the side of a Hyundai, then hit a Chrysler near the intersection of Cimarron Road and West Charleston Boulevard, close to Buffalo Drive. The driver remained at the scene and now faces DUI-related and reckless-driving charges.
What police say
According to 8 News Now, a Chevrolet pickup entered the intersection against a steady red traffic signal and first struck the driver's side of a Hyundai before colliding with the front of a Chrysler in the westbound lanes. Police identified the driver as Richard Villatoro. They say he did not claim injury at the scene and was arrested on DUI-related and reckless-driving charges. Multiple people were taken to nearby hospitals, with the Hyundai driver suffering life-threatening injuries and a passenger sustaining substantial injuries, while both occupants of the Chrysler received moderate injuries, authorities said.
Investigation underway
The crash is under review by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Collision Investigation Section, which handles major collisions and evidence collection. Investigators will process the scene and forward their findings to prosecutors as part of the charging decision, and that review is ongoing for this incident.
Local context
State data show traffic fatalities in Nevada fell nearly 10% in 2025, but officials warn that impaired driving and intersection collisions remain a local concern, according to the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety. Metro has recently ramped up enforcement at trouble spots around the valley in an effort to curb deadly crashes.
Villatoro is expected to appear in court Tuesday morning as investigators continue their work, 8 News Now reports. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Metro’s Collision Investigation Section.
