Car enthusiast and local influencer Chad Solis, known across Las Vegas car circles and Instagram as "Chadillac," died after an electric skateboard crash on June 10 in the southeast Las Vegas Valley. Friends say Solis, 49, was riding with his teenage daughter when he struck a small patch of uneven pavement, was thrown from the board and suffered catastrophic injuries. Doctors later told his family the damage was too severe for him to survive, and the news has rippled through the valley's tight-knit car scene and social media community.
Friends Mourn 'Chadillac' and Plead for Helmet Use
Friends and followers describe Solis as a constant presence at local meets and online, where his Instagram account had roughly 65,000 followers, according to 8 News Now. Those close to him told the station he was not wearing a helmet when he fell. Ryan Aitken, a longtime friend, said he is still in disbelief and urged riders to wear protective gear every time they go out, per 8 News Now. Family members said physicians informed them the injuries were unsurvivable, according to the outlet.
Hospitals See Surge in E‑Device Trauma
Local trauma centers have been warning about e‑device injuries for months, well before Solis's crash. Sunrise Trauma told KTNV it treated about 254 e‑device patients in 2025 and had already seen 140 more so far in 2026, and clinicians noted that helmet use remains stubbornly low. The hospital's vice president of trauma services told the station that severe head injuries are common in these crashes and can leave survivors with lifelong disabilities.
Officials Ramp Up Outreach and Policy Talk
University Medical Center reports similar patterns. The hospital treated 212 e‑bike and scooter patients in 2025 and had already logged additional cases in early 2026, according to FOX5. In response, local governments and hospitals have rolled out safety education campaigns, helmet giveaways and outreach grants, while Nevada lawmakers have opened a study into e‑device rules and potential future laws described in separate coverage from FOX5. Clinicians say the steady flow of serious brain injuries is strengthening the case for clearer regulations and broader enforcement.
What Riders Should Know
Doctors, survivors and community groups keep coming back to the same simple advice: wear a certified helmet every ride, keep speeds reasonable and skip risky tricks or riding in places where e‑devices are not allowed. Clark County communications have flagged multi‑year increases in e‑device trauma and highlighted local outreach efforts, as detailed in a county newsletter from District G. The crash that killed Solis is yet another reminder that even experienced riders can be taken down by a small stretch of rough pavement.
