1 dead in wrong-way crash north of Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The Nevada Highway Patrol investigated a fatal wrong-way crash early Monday morning north of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
According to police, the crash, which involved a minivan and a semi tractor-trailer, occurred just after 1:40 a.m. near Interstate 15 and mile marker 79, southbound, about 25 miles north of the Speedway.
Authorities said that the preliminary investigation indicates that a 2004 Ford Expedition was traveling northbound on southbound I-15. A southbound 2020 Volvo semi-tractor trailer and the Expedition both swerved into the left travel lane, where they crashed head-on.
Both vehicles caught fire and came to a rest facing east in the desert center meridian.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
On May 5, the coroner’s office identified the victim as Rayne Buff, 30.
According to NHP, the driver of the semi tractor-trailer was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
#TrafficAlert IR15 and mile marker 79, both southbound travel lanes are closed, due to a fatal crash. IR15 will re-open to one travel lane southbound, once fire and rescue are completed in area. Please slow down in this area, while both Troopers and Investigators are working this… pic.twitter.com/ZuyiQnnbws
— Nevada State Police (@NVStatePolice) April 14, 2025