‘Mass-Casualty Traffic Collision’ Kills 9, Injures More in Las Vegas

The intersection in North Las Vegas where police say a Dodge Challenger ran a red light, hitting several vehicles and killing at least nine people, on Jan. 29, 2022. Courtesy of KVVU

A six-vehicle crash described as a “mass-casualty traffic collision” by police left at least nine people dead in Las Vegas, said officials.

“We have not seen a mass-casualty traffic collision like this before,” Alexander Cuevas, with the North Las Vegas Police, told reporters on late Saturday.

On Saturday evening, a Dodge Challenger ran a red light on Commerce Street and hit several vehicles at a “high rate of speed,” said Cuevas. He cited a bystander who witnessed the crash.

“And, with that, it struck multiple vehicles and, unfortunately, it was a chaotic event,” Cuevas said, adding the collision involved some 15 people. Nine died and six suffered injuries, the officer said.

“Please make this a safer community by slowing down. Pay attention to speed limits,” he added.

North Las Vegas Police told The Associated Press that the identities of the driver and the other eight people who died would be released by the Clark County coroner’s office.

“Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families who are experiencing a tremendous and unnecessary loss due to a careless and senseless act,” North Las Vegas Councilwoman Pamela Goynes-Brown said at a news conference near the scene of the crash.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak reacted to the crash, saying that “our hearts ache for the families & loved ones of the 9 people killed in this senseless act ... Kathy & I will be keeping them in our hearts & prayers during this very difficult time.”

Aside from the high rate of speed, police said there was no motive as to why the driver ran through the red light.