9 dead after 'chaotic' crash in Las Vegas; children among victims
Nine people were dead and another was clinging to life in Nevada after a car raced through a red light and slammed into several vehicles, North Las Vegas police said.
Officer Alexander Cuevas, who called Saturday's crash a "chaotic event," said the age of those killed ranged from young children to middle-age adults.
“We have not seen a mass casualty traffic collision like this before,” Cuevas said.
Cuevas said a preliminary investigation indicated a Dodge Charger was speeding as it approached a major intersection at about 3 p.m., then ran a red light. Six cars and 15 people were involved in the crash, he said. Some of the vehicles were pushed into a vacant lot.
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The tragedy drew an outpouring of condolences on social media.
"Our hearts ache for the families & loved ones of the 9 people killed in this senseless act," Gov. Steve Sisolak tweeted. "Kathy & I will be keeping them in our hearts & prayers during this very difficult time."
Tweeted Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones: "This is so tragic, and my heart goes out to all of the family members."
Jones also urged local drivers to slow down.
"Getting to your destination a few seconds earlier isn’t ever worth speeding through a red light," Jones wrote.
Both people in the Dodge Charger were among those who died, Cuevas said. He said speed was a factor in the crash but that it was too soon to determine whether impaired driving was also involved.
The National Transportation Safety Board was coordinating an investigation of the crash with police. The tragedy comes less than three weeks after a six-vehicle crash south of Las Vegas left four people dead.
A coroner will investigate the cause of Saturday's deaths and release the identities of the victims, Cuevas said. One person was hospitalized in critical condition and a few others suffered non-life-threatening injuries, he said.
Cuevas said roads in the area remained closed for several hours so the bodies could be extricated from the mangled vehicles.
"Please make this a safer community by slowing down," Cuevas said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 9 dead after chaotic crash in Las Vegas; children among victims
