A busy stretch of Spring Mountain Road turned deadly last Saturday when a chain-reaction crash sent a compact car over the center median and into oncoming traffic, killing a 75-year-old Las Vegas man and sending multiple people to local hospitals.
The wreck shut down lanes near the northbound I-15 on-ramp while first responders rushed to treat the injured. The driver who crossed into westbound traffic later died at a hospital.
How the crash unfolded
According to Nevada Highway Patrol troopers, the crash began in the No. 2 eastbound travel lane when a 2012 Scion XD made what investigators describe as an unsafe lane change and clipped the right front of a light-blue 2024 Toyota Corolla.
After that initial impact, the Scion crossed the center median and entered the westbound lanes, where it struck a silver 2026 Toyota Tacoma on the left front. The occupants of the Corolla were evaluated at the scene and were not transported. The Tacoma’s driver and passenger were taken to local hospitals, as was the Scion’s driver, who later died from his injuries.
The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Major Incident Reconstruction Team is leading the investigation. Southern Command reports it has investigated 37 fatal crashes that have resulted in 40 deaths so far this year, according to News 3 Las Vegas.
Road safety context
The Spring Mountain and I-15 corridor has built a reputation for serious collisions in recent months, especially in and around Chinatown. That track record has helped fuel talk of resurfacing, restriping and other safety upgrades in the area.
Clark County and the Nevada Department of Transportation have folded resurfacing and lane reconfiguration work for the corridor into their long-range planning efforts, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Victim identified
Nevada Highway Patrol identified the Scion’s driver as 75-year-old Las Vegas resident Richard Scott King. Hospital staff later notified troopers that King had succumbed to his injuries, according to News 3 Las Vegas.
Investigators have not announced any charges as they continue to analyze the scene and review all available evidence to determine what contributed to the crash.
What investigators are asking
The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Major Incident Reconstruction Team is asking anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have relevant video to come forward and share information to aid the investigation.
For general updates and contact information, the public can visit the Nevada Highway Patrol’s official site at Nevada Highway Patrol.
