Man found with methamphetamine runs from police, jumps in tractor-trailer’s path
A man transporting several pounds of methamphetamine was killed Tuesday night after he ran from police and jumped in front of a tractor-trailer.
Authorities said the man, who was not identified, was handcuffed when he ran from officers about 9 p.m. on northbound Interstate 15 near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Authorities said the man had been cooperating when he bolted into the left lane and stopped in front of the truck.
He was killed instantly.
"We're not sure what he was thinking," said Sgt. Richard Strader, a supervisor with the Metropolitan Police Department's fatal collision detail.
Police found 12 pounds of crystal meth valued at $300,000 in a hidden compartment in the man's car.
The meth was coated with a substance designed to mask the odor from drug-sniffing dogs.
Detectives think he was traveling from California to the East Coast.
Two passengers in the vehicle were interviewed by officers and released.
Sgt. John Sheahan, a police spokesman, said the passengers were cooperative and probably did not know about the drugs.
Detectives from the Nevada Highway Patrol were investigating the death and will issue a final report.
The county coroner's office will identify the man. The scene was cleared early Wednesday.
The traffic stop was made by the Interdiction Team, a multi-agency task force made up of local and federal officers.
Last month, the Interdiction Team seized 452 pounds of cocaine worth more than $16 million.
Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.
