Las Vegas father killed in hit-and-run ‘was just a good dude’
A 32-year-old man killed in a west Las Vegas hit-and-run this week was an adored father and “greatly respected” martial artist, according to friends.
Patrick Deloriea died after a Tesla Model Y hit him while he crossed at Rainbow Boulevard and Vegas Drive around 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Clark County coroner’s office.
The Tesla driver failed to stop at the scene or notify police, authorities said, and later that day, police asked for the public’s help identifying the driver.
The Metropolitan Police Department on Wednesday asked for the public’s help in finding the the suspect vehicle, described as dark “with gray wheels and severe damage to the left front-end and windshield.”
‘Will miss his grin, jokes, and jabs’
One of Deloriea’s colleagues, Lauren Murphie, got choked up remembering when she last saw him on Saturday.
“You know, when you see a friend and make all these plans — things you’ll do together in the future. That’s what we did,” Murphie said. “It’s heartbreaking because I still can’t believe our plans will never happen, and I will never see him again.”
Murphie, who goes by “Muscle Marilyn” online, said she met Deloriea while practicing jujitsu about a year ago.
Robert Drysdale, who runs the Zenith Jiu Jitsu by Robert Drysdale gym on South Rainbow, said Deloriea would usually come to the gym to train about three times per week.
“He was a jolly, happy fellow,” Drysdale said Wednesday evening while overseeing a training session at his gym. “He was loved. He was sort of like the life of the party.”
Murphie described Deloriea as a talented wrestler and supportive friend. Unlike most guys, she said Deloriea made her feel safe when they filmed fighting videos for her social media profiles.
“He was loved for his skills and presence as a fighter, but everyone who trained with him also knew his dedication as a dad,” Murphie added.
Drysdale said Deloriea is survived by his toddler son, Mason, and mother, Melody Peterson. As of Wednesday night, a GoFundMe started by Drysdale had amassed more than $10,000, which would go toward any costs the family might be facing including medical bills and memorial services, according to the page.
As Drysdale talked Wednesday, he scrolled through his cellphone to find a photo of himself with Mason, who was also a regular at the gym.
Drysdale said that Deloriea’s team, called “Zenith,” will miss his grin, jokes, and jabs, adding that the martial artist had his “own unique style.”
“I don’t have anything bad to say about Patrick,” Drysdale said. “He was never angry, never caused problems with anyone. He was just a good dude. He always had a joke lined up.”
Deloriea’s death was the 66th traffic-related fatality in Metro’s jurisdiction in 2025, police said.
Reacting to the growing number of pedestrian deaths in the city, Murphie, who regularly goes on runs throughout the city, expressed frustration.
“I watch as people screech through crosswalks, barely stopping for pedestrians. It’s extremely angering that my friend has lost his life in this way. Not even two weeks ago, a high schooler died while walking,” Murphie said, referencing the May 2 crash involving a suspected DUI driver that killed McKenzie Scott.
“You wonder what will be done to prevent this from happening again, but it seems like nothing will change.”
Metro also said in a news release Wednesday that a 32-year-old Las Vegas man who was struck by a BMW in an alleged hit-and-run on East Flamingo Road near South Mojave Road on April 27 died on Saturday.
Luis Fuentes-Ramirez, 30, of Henderson, is accused of striking the man while driving a 2008 BMW 328i.
Fuentes-Ramirez briefly stopped, drove off, and then “eventually returned to the collision scene,” where he was arrested, the release said.
He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on hit-and-run-related charges, Metro said.
Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com. Review-Journal Digital Content Producer Tony Garcia contributed to this report.
