LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Dispatch calls and law enforcement radio traffic are revealing what happened to Nevada State Police troopers after a fatal hit-and-run crash on Thursday morning.
The incident happened at 3:23 a.m. near Interstate 15 and D Street.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police say Sergeant Michael Abbate and Trooper Alberto Felix had stopped on Interstate 15 to make contact with a driver who appeared to be sleeping in their car on the side of the freeway.
While the troopers were out of their cars, police say a white Chevrolet HHR collided with the troopers, then drove away from the scene.
At least one witness told police they saw what happened, according to dispatch and radio traffic.
"The transient individual just said the [vehicle] rammed them after the troopers were already stopped with the other people," an officer said. "He stated they continued on the ramp northbound."
Law enforcement officials who arrived at the scene immediately following the crash could be heard questioning where the troopers were.
"I'm trying to understand. (The troopers) were supposed to be on the scene, and you don't know where they are?" a dispatcher asks.
"I see one trooper and he's on D Street. I don't know, I don't know where (the other trooper) is," came the reply.
Seconds go by before a trooper appears to locate the other trooper who was hit.
"...we're going to have to shut down this ramp," the trooper says. "I got (him), and he's not looking good, and I need Metro."
In another call, another officer relays what he saw.
"When I arrived on scene, both troopers were outstanding," he told the dispatcher. "The driver that was at the wheel was still behind the wheel and he was taken into custody. That's when several passersby [said he was] on D Street and I found him on the shoulder."
Officers stated evidence at the scene shows the troopers may have been thrown and landed in the street below the interstate.
"Per Metro, [his] radio is on D Street, approximately 50 to 60 feet from where he was," one officer said.
Police could be heard giving road closure updates and trying to give first responders directions to get the troopers medical help as soon as possible.
One trooper was taken to University Medical Center, where he later died. The second trooper was pronounced dead at the scene. While the troopers were getting medical care, law enforcement worked to save evidence in order to identify the vehicle that hit them.
"Start doing everything we can to preserve evidence for me, please. I know as far as canvassing the area, I know you guys are trying to find transients or people that had the opportunity to see anything," an officer said. "As far as the displacement of [the troopers], try to keep the perimeter as large as we can."
Officials with Las Vegas police said officers did a grid search until they were able to locate the suspect's vehicle at an apartment complex near J Street and Monroe Avenue around 8 a.m.
That suspect was arrested and has since been identified as 46-year-old Jemarcus Williams. Police say Williams was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on multiple charges, including reckless driving resulting in death, driving under the influence resulting in death, and duty to stop at the scene of an accident involving death.
Court records indicate Williams is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Justice Court on Friday at 9 a.m.
The Injured Police Officers Fund is taking donations to support the troopers' families. Donations can be made on the organization's website and the IPOF says 100% of the proceeds will benefit the loved ones of the fallen troopers. The IPOF cautioned that they are not accepting donations on any other website.
