LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man accused of driving under the influence of marijuana allegedly caused two crashes on New Year’s Day, hitting people and vehicles before trying to run away, according to North Las Vegas police.
Fernando Reyes, 21, was arrested after allegedly showing signs of impairment following the second crash and trying to flee the scene.
Around 2:38 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, North Las Vegas police received a call that two people were hit by a vehicle near Aliante Parkway and Nature Park Drive.
According to police, a silver Suzuki XL7 initially backed into a tan 2015 Ford Fusion while in the southbound first left-turn lane. The driver of the Suzuki, later identified as Reyes, allegedly drove off at a high speed.
While Reyes was driving southbound on Aliante approaching Nature Park, he ran a red light at the intersection and struck a black 2012 Toyota Prius that was turning into a private drive entrance on a green light, police said.
This crash caused Reyes’ car to rotate and redirect onto the southwest corner of the intersection where it struck two pedestrians who were standing on the sidewalk, police said.
Reyes tried to run away from the scene of the second crash but was stopped by witnesses.
Both pedestrians were transported to University Medical Center. The female pedestrian, identified as 51-year-old Tracy Sundberg, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The male pedestrian, identified as 68-year-old Randall Robert Ray, was initially treated for “critical/serious” injuries, but later died at the hospital, police said.
The driver of the Prius had minor injuries.
After being cleared by medical personnel, Reyes was transported and booked into the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center.
He faces several charges including reckless driving, DUI, operating an unregistered vehicle, and not wearing a seatbelt.
