LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A suspected DUI crash at Washington Avenue and Bruce Street early Saturday morning resulted in one fatality and two serious injuries.
Maria Gonsalez, 21, allegedly drove her Ford Mustang at excessive speed before colliding with a Nissan truck driven by 49-year-old Juan Santana-Savalza, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the May 23 incident. A passenger in Gonsalez’s vehicle sustained critical injuries.
According to LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE, the crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. as Santana-Savalza was turning left on a yellow light when he was struck by Gonsalez, who was heading east on Washington Avenue. Authorities report he was ejected from his vehicle.
Witnesses reported Gonsalez’s speed at around 95-100 mph in a 35 mph zone, as indicated by the Mustang’s speedometer, which was reportedly frozen during the crash. The police indicated that Gonsalez failed to reduce speed at the red light.
Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Gonsalez and found an open bottle of Don Julio tequila inside the vehicle. Gonsalez has a prior charge of vehicular manslaughter from a 2023 incident.
Gonsalez was booked in absentia on charges including driving under the influence and reckless driving. The investigation is ongoing, and lane closures were reported as emergency crews responded to the scene.