Death of motorist involved in multiple crashes probed

Las Vegas homicide detectives are investigating the death of a motorist who was involved in multiple traffic collisions and a short pursuit with a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper along southbound Interstate 15 on Friday.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed near the I-15 and Interstate 215 interchange.

Homicide Lt. Lew Roberts said that when the Highway Patrol trooper confronted the driver of the vehicle after that crash, a struggle ensued.

"The driver resisted the trooper, and there was a struggle,'' Roberts said. "As a result of the driver's injuries, the driver was taken to Spring Valley Hospital.''

The driver died en route to the hospital.

The trooper suffered no injuries and has been placed on paid administrative leave, Roberts said.

No weapons were involved, and it has not been determined if the motorist was intoxicated or under the influence, Roberts said during a short news conference Friday evening.

"It is a little too early to determine the cause of death,'' Roberts said. "We'll know more after the autopsy.''

Roberts would not say what type of car the motorist was driving or release his age or identity. He said the vehicle the man was driving had been involved in a series of accidents along southbound 15 on Friday, which is what drew the attention of the Highway Patrol.

Roberts said several witnesses were being interviewed. No one else was injured.

As a result of the incident, traffic along southbound I-15 was snarled for hours during Friday's afternoon commute.