1 killed after crash involving suspected DUI driver in Las Vegas

A 42-year-old man died early Saturday in a two-vehicle crash involving a suspected DUI driver, Las Vegas police said.

Shortly before 4:10 a.m., police said, the suspect’s silver 2003 Lincoln Continental and the victim’s blue 2000 Lincoln Continental collided at Washington and Eastern avenues, sending both cars into a brick wall on the southwest corner of the intersection.

Kelvin Flowers, 42, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said, while Stacey Frierson, 53, was jailed Saturday at the Clark County Detention Center on one count of DUI above the legal limit resulting in death.

Frierson suffered minor head injuries in the crash and was treated at University Medical Center.

Calling the crash fatality a “senseless death,” Metropolitan Police Department traffic Capt. Nick Farese said at the scene, “Now that’s an empty seat at the dinner table this holiday season.”

The intersection was closed for more than four hours following the crash. Small orange cones marked the crime scene as investigators surrounded the mangled vehicles.

“Looking at the vehicles over there,” Farese said, “obviously speed is definitely a contributing factor.”

Court records show the suspect has a lengthy criminal history in Clark County with drug charges dating back to at least 2007.

Frierson pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a drug not introduced into commerce in September 2007, March 2009 and December 2011. And in February 2009, he also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession for sale of substances, court records show.

Flowers’ death marked Metro’s 131st traffic fatality investigation this year.

Contact Rio Lacanlale at rlacanlale@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Follow @riolacanlale on Twitter.