LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A suspected DUI crash on Washington Avenue and Bruce Street early Saturday morning left one dead and two seriously injured.
Authorities reported that Maria Gonsalez, 21, was allegedly driving under the influence and at a high speed when her Ford Mustang collided with a Nissan truck driven by 49-year-old Juan Santana-Savalza, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the Mustang sustained critical injuries.
At approximately 5:30 a.m., Santana-Savalza was traveling west on Washington Avenue, preparing to turn left onto Bruce Street with a yellow traffic signal. Gonsalez was allegedly speeding east on Washington Avenue and struck Santana-Savalza before he could complete the turn, resulting in him being ejected from his vehicle.
According to police, Gonsalez's speedometer was noted to be stuck between 95 and 100 mph in a 35 mph zone. Witnesses cited her failure to reduce speed as she entered the intersection just as the signal turned red.
Authorities detected a “heavy odor” of alcohol on Gonsalez, with a bottle of tequila visible in the passenger-side floorboard. The arrest report indicated that Gonsalez had a prior vehicular manslaughter charge from 2023 and was driving an unregistered vehicle due to a suspended registration.
Gonsalez was booked in absentia on charges of driving under the influence and reckless driving. The incident remains under investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.