Strip pedestrian struck and killed; driver suspected of DUI

A pedestrian on the Strip was struck and killed early Tuesday by an SUV driven by a man who was arrested on suspicion of DUI, his second alleged DUI incident since December, according to police and court records.

The pedestrian, identified by the Clark County coroner’s office as Geewadin Elliott, 45, of Ontario, Canada, was crossing Las Vegas Boulevard at Caesars Palace Drive at 2:17 a.m. in a crosswalk despite the crosswalk saying “Do Not Walk,” according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Police, who did not identify Elliott, said he was crossing the Strip from west to east when a Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Brandon Kelekolio was heading north on Las Vegas Boulevard approaching Caesars Palace Drive. The Trailblazer driver had a green light, police said.

At that point, Elliott walked into the path of the Trailblazer and was struck by the front of the SUV.

“Arriving medical personnel determined the pedestrian sustained mortal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the collision scene,” Metro police said in a statement Tuesday morning.

Kelekolio, 32, of Las Vegas, was arrested on suspicion of DUI-related charges. Court records show that he also faces a misdemeanor DUI charge from December. That case was still ongoing, with a court date scheduled for April 20, according to records.

Kelekolio stayed at the scene and showed signs of impairment, police said. He failed a field sobriety test and was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

Kelekolio faces charges including reckless driving resulting in death, DUI resulting in death and driving with a revoked, suspended or restricted license for DUI, court and jail records show.

The death marks the 30th traffic-related fatality in Metro’s jurisdiction in 2023, police said.

Contact Brett Clarkson at bclarkson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrettClarkson_ on Twitter.