Morning accident closes intersection
The intersection of Buffalo Drive and Desert Inn Road was shut down Saturday morning following a car accident that resulted in severe injuries.
Driver Nan Li was traveling west on Desert Inn Road in a Honda Odyssey van and ran a red traffic light at the intersection of Buffalo Drive. His vehicle struck a Dodge Grand Caravan as it entered the intersection from Buffalo Drive on the green signal.
The Grand Caravan, driven by 40-year-old Lee Ann Smith, tipped over onto the passenger side and came to a stop. Smith was removed from the van by emergency personnel and transported to University Medical Center with what a police spokeswoman said were life-threatening injuries.
A fatal accident detail along with paramedics was requested at the scene, but as of 12:30 p.m. there were no fatalities.
Odyssey driver Li was booked into Clark County Detention Center for driving under the inflence with substantial bodily harm after failing field sobriety tests. He and his two passengers sustained minor injuries.
The accident happened just before 6 a.m. As of 7:30 a.m., the intersection was still closed.
The accident is under investigation by the accident investigation section of the Las Vegas Police Department.
Contact reporter Annalise Porter at aporter@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0391.
