One dead, one critical after being thrown from vehicle
A 19-year-old was arrested in connection with a three-vehicle crash that killed one person and left another in critical condition Sunday night.
Cesar Mendoza, 19, was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI resulting in death after it was alleged that he ran a red light at South Jones Boulevard and West Russell Road at 10:45 p.m. and struck two other vehicles. Mendoza had three other passengers in his 2000 Ford Mustang, police said.
The Mustang’s occupants were transported to University Medical Center, where a 21-year-old man died. Another person remains in critical condition, police said.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s investigation showed that the Mustang spun out after striking a 2013 Kia Sorrento in the intersection and a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta that was stopped for a red light.
A passenger in the right front seat and another in the rear seat of the Mustang were ejected.
Mendoza showed signs of impairment and was booked into the Clark County Detention Center after being released from UMC, police said in a statement. The Clark County coroner will identify the victim once his family is notified.
Multiple cars drove past police blockades during the investigation, and one man was arrested for driving under the influence. Metro Sgt. Robert Stauffer said his blood alcohol content was above the legal limit.
This is the 21st traffic-related fatality investigated by Metro in 2017. Review-Journal reporter Rio Lacanlale contributed to this report. Contact Mike Shoro at mshoro@reviewjournal. com. Follow @mike_shoro on Twitter.