2 Nevada State Troopers struck, killed on I-15; suspect in custody

Two Nevada Highway Patrol troopers were struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver Thursday morning while assisting another motorist on northbound Interstate 15 near D street. The driver was later arrested, and Las Vegas police provided details about the fatal collision at a press briefing Thursday afternoon at Metropolitan Police Department headquarters. The troopers had stopped on the highway at 3:23 a.m. to check on a motorist who appeared to be asleep at the wheel when another vehicle struck the troopers and drove away, according to Metro Deputy Chief Branden Clarkson.

Late Thursday afternoon police identified 46-year-old Jemarcus Williams[1] as the driver who struck the troopers. He faces two counts each of reckless driving resulting in death, DUI resulting in death and failing to stop at the scene of a crash. One trooper died at the scene, Clarkson said, while the other was pronounced dead at University Medical Center.

A search for the suspect’s vehicle, described as a white Chevrolet HHR, led authorities to an apartment complex near J Street and Monroe Avenue, and a suspect was taken into custody. The deaths were being investigated by Metro’s homicide section, Clarkson said. The freeway was closed shortly after the crash for the investigation and was reopened to traffic around 4 p.m.

The offramp to D Street remained closed. Wolfson visits scene Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said he had visited the crime scene and been given a walk-through of the events leading up to the crash.

“It’s a terrible, terrible tragedy to have these troopers lose their lives in the manner they did,” Wolfson said. I-15 northbound at Charleston Boulevard and all ramps from U.S. Highway 95 to I-15 northbound are closed.

Motorists are being asked to avoid the area. “Our prayers are with the families and loved ones of our fallen Troopers,” the Nevada State Police said in a statement. Gov.

Joe Lombardo also released a statement after the deaths. “I’m profoundly saddened by the deaths of two of our brave Nevada State Troopers, who were killed early this morning in Las Vegas,” the statement read. “This is a devastating loss for Nevada law enforcement, the city of Las Vegas, and our entire state. As we mourn these troopers, we will never forget their bravery, courage, and sacrifice.”

Pursuant to Nevada policy, Lombardo directed the United States flag and the Nevada state flag be lowered to half-staff immediately until sunset on the day of interment to honor the fallen Nevada State Troopers. Apartment complex surrounded Police had surrounded an apartment complex, and law enforcement vehicles lined streets near H Street and Monroe Avenue in connection with the deaths, according to a police source, while a nearby school, Wendell P.

Williams Elementary, was temporarily placed on a soft lockdown that was lifted by 10 a.m. The troopers’ deaths occurred a little more than two years after another state trooper, Micah May, was killed on the interstate near Sahara[2] Avenue[3]. May died in July 2021 after he was struck by a carjacking suspect driving on the freeway.

May was struck by the suspect’s stolen vehicle while deploying stop sticks on I-15 in an attempt to halt a car chase that spanned portions of the freeway and surface streets. May later died at University Medical Center from crash injuries. In September, a stretch of the highway was dedicated in May’s name[4] with memorial signs installed in each direction of I-15 near Sahara.

At the time, May was only the second Nevada trooper to die in the line of duty in nearly three decades, according to data maintained by the FBI On March 27, 2020, Sgt. Ben Jenkins was fatally shot on U.S.

Highway 93[5] after Jenkins pulled over to assist a driver. Ruth resident John Dabritz is charged with murder, third-degree arson, grand larceny of a motor vehicle and grand larceny of a firearm in connection with the death. This is a developing story.

Check back for updates.

References

1. ^ 46-year-old Jemarcus Williams (www.reviewjournal.com)
2. ^ Micah May, was killed on the interstate near Sahara (www.reviewjournal.com)
3. ^ Avenue (www.reviewjournal.com)
4. ^ was dedicated in May’s name (www.reviewjournal.com)
5. ^ Sgt.

   Ben Jenkins was fatally shot on U.S.

   Highway 93 (www.reviewjournal.com)