Man arrested on drug DUI after Las Vegas motorcycle officer injured in early Friday crash

A Las Vegas motorcycle officer was injured in a crash early Friday morning, and the driver who hit him was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

The crash happened about 4:15 a.m. near the intersection of South Durango Drive and Tropicana Avenue, Metropolitan Police Department Sgt. Richard Strader said.

David Williams, 19, plowed his 2003 Hyundai Accent forward into the 43-year-old officer as the officer was riding his motorcycle, Strader said.

The officer was ejected from his motorcycle and thrown to the ground, and he sustained nonlife-threatening injures of the neck, back and leg. He was taken to University Medical Center’s trauma unit, then later released as of 3 p.m., police said.

The crash left the motorcycle totaled and the sedan significantly damaged.

Williams, the sedan driver, remained at the scene. Police said Williams was suspected of being impaired on drugs and was arrested, then booked at the Clark County Detention Center.

He is being held without bail and faces a charge of DUI above the legal limit resulting in substantial bodily harm. Police did not specify the drug or drugs they suspect were involved in the DUI.

Metro is still investigating the crash. Police did not name the officer who was injured.

Tropicana was closed between Durango and Buffalo Drive following the crash but has since been reopened.

Las Vegas Review-Journal online editor Dennis Rudner and writer Rachel Crosby contributed to this report. Contact Jessica Terrones at jterrones@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find @JessATerrones on Twitter.