A deadly collision outside one of Laughlin's busiest casinos turned Casino Drive into a crime scene Sunday afternoon, after a pedestrian was hit and killed in front of the Tropicana Hotel on the riverfront strip.
Officers responded just after 1 p.m. to reports of an auto-pedestrian crash on Casino Drive, and the pedestrian did not survive, authorities said. The driver stayed at the scene, and police said impairment was not suspected at the time of the initial report. Southbound Casino Drive was shut down and drivers were told to use alternate routes, according to KSNV.
Recent danger on Casino Drive
The fatal crash is not the first tragedy on Casino Drive this year. In January, a Laughlin pedestrian dies after a hit-and-run on a dark stretch of West Casino Drive, a case investigators said underscored the risks on unlit, two-lane portions of the corridor.
Funding and fixes on the table
Longer-term changes may be coming. In 2023, the Regional Transportation Commission budgeted money for upgrades along Casino Drive between Needles Highway and Harrah's, signaling that improvements on the corridor are in the pipeline. Those budget lines point to engineering and lighting work being on the agency's radar even as this latest crash is still under review; see the RTC.
Investigation still active
Laughlin-area officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are handling the investigation and have not announced any charges. Police told reporters they had no indication that impairment played a role. Anyone with information in cases like this is typically asked to contact Metro's Collision Investigation Section, according to KSNV.
