Witness says man involved in deadly DUI crash was driving nearly 100 mph

LAS VEGAS (KVVU/Gray News) - A suspected drunken driver has been arrested after a deadly crash in Las Vegas last month.

Las Vegas police said the collision occurred on April 28 on the west side of town.

Police said a Honda driver was seen traveling at a high rate of speed, lost control of his vehicle at a curve, and struck the median and another vehicle.

The two vehicles crashed head-on, and the 78-year-old driver of the other vehicle died at the hospital.

Authorities identified the Honda driver as 23-year-old Juan De Leon. Officers said he displayed signs of impairment and was booked on charges that include DUI resulting in death and reckless driving.

According to an arrest report, a witness told police that she believed the suspect was driving close to 100 mph before the crash.

Investigators said the collision involved so much energy that the victim’s Hyundai was redirected about 25 feet and displaced a roadside concrete barrier.

An officer reported visiting De Leon at the hospital after the crash and observed that his eyes were watery while smelling a faint odor of alcohol coming from him.

Police obtained a search warrant to draw blood samples from De Leon and added a swab kit into evidence.

De Leon has a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 16. His bail was set at $25,000.

Copyright 2024 KVVU via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.