Los Angeles woman dies in SUV rollover; 11 others injured in crash

One woman was killed and 11 people were injured early Monday when the Ford Expedition in which they were riding blew a tire and overturned on Interstate 15 near Sloan Road, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Los Angeles resident Aurela Cortez-Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident happened just before 2:30 a.m. on northbound I-15, Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Kevin Honea said.

According to witness reports, the right rear tire of the Expedition blew out. The vehicle then veered sharply across both travel lanes and rolled over. Several passengers were thrown from the vehicle.

The injured passengers, which included adults and children ranging in age from 4 to 79 years old, were taken to area hospitals. As of Monday afternoon nine were still hospitalized, seven in critical condition. Honea said the male driver was treated and released.

Honea said the Ford was registered in California and had seat belts for nine passengers. There were 12 occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

The crash stopped northbound traffic on I-15 for several hours.