‘Reckless’ driver charged with DUI in fatal west Las Vegas crash

A 26-year-old man died after a three-vehicle crash early Tuesday in the west Las Vegas Valley, and the 47-year-old driver who police said caused the wreck was charged with driving under the influence.

The crash happened about 9 a.m. at the intersection of Tee Pee Lane and Tompkins Avenue, the Metropolitan Police Department said.

Ronald Leavell, 47, was driving his Chevrolet Camaro east on Tompkins “at a high rate of speed” when he blew through a stop sign at Tee Pee, police said. The “reckless” driving resulted in the Camaro colliding with the driver’s side of the 26-year-old’s Ford Fiesta.

The 26-year-old died at the scene.

After the initial impact, the Camaro continued forward, spinning counterclockwise and coming to a rest about 700 feet from the scene.

The crash also dislodged the Fiesta’s engine and transmission, which took flight and destroyed a nearby block wall at Apache Pines Apartments, 9552 W. Tropicana Ave. The Fiesta’s body continued eastbound on Tompkins, spinning clockwise, which caused the out-of-control car to sideswipe a nearby van before coming to rest about 400 feet from the scene.

The van’s driver was uninjured and Leavell was taken to University Medical Center with serious injuries. He was later booked at the Clark County Detention Center on driving under the influence resulting in death.

Local court records did not show a criminal history for Leavell. His 48-hour hearing is slated for Wednesday morning.

The county coroner’s office will name the 26-year-old killed once his family has been notified.

Contact Rachel Crosby at rcrosby@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290. Follow @rachelacrosby on Twitter.