Witness says Las Vegas suspect was driving nearly 100 MPH before deadly DUI crash
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - An arrest report following a deadly April 28 crash in Las Vegas includes a statement from a witness reporting that the suspect was driving nearly 100 MPH before losing control in a curve and striking a median before crashing into the victim’s vehicle.
The crash happened at 10:38 p.m. last Sunday near Buffalo Drive and Peacock Avenue. The crash occurred when a Honda failed to negotiate a turn and crossed the center median, entering a Hyundai’s path of travel. The two vehicles collided head-on, redirecting the Hyundai into a roadside barrier.
Both drivers were hospitalized for their injuries, though the driver of the Hyundai, identified as a 78-year-old, was later pronounced dead.
The driver of the Honda, identified as Juan De Leon, 23, displayed signs of impairment and was booked in absentia for DUI resulting in death. According to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrest report, a witness told police that she believed the suspect was driving close to 100 MPH before the crash.
LVMPD Fatal Detectives determined that De Leon’s Honda was traveling southbound on Buffalo and failed to negotiate a “sweeping right-curved road and struck the raised median at a high rate of speed.” Police said he continued through the median and entered the northbound travel lanes.
The victim’s Hyundai was traveling north on Buffalo in the far right lane when the suspect crashed into him, with the front left portion of the Honda colliding with the front left portion of the Hyundai.
Investigators later determined that “the collision involved so much energy that the Honda absorbed the Hyundai’s speed and re-directed the Hyundai approximately 24 feet to the southeast.” A report noted that the victim’s car came to rest against a roadside concrete barrier, which it displaced.
An officer later contacted the suspect at UMC and “was able to get close enough to Mr. De Leon to observe that his eyes were watery and [to] detect a faint odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage coming from Mr. De Leon.”
Police obtained a search warrant to draw blood samples from the suspect. Detectives also served a buccal swab search warrant on De Leon and booked that kit into evidence.
The suspect is facing one count of DUI resulting in death and one charge of reckless driving. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled in Clark County Justice Court on May 16. His bail was set at $25,000.
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