2 dead after car slams into big rig on Vegas-area freeway
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Two people died and northbound lanes of busy Interstate 15 were closed for several hours Monday after a car slammed into the back of a big rig truck about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Las Vegas.
Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Ashlee Wellman said the driver of the Honda Accord died at the scene and her passenger was pronounced dead at University Medical Center after the 7 a.m. crash near the town of Jean.
Speed appeared to be a factor in the crash, which broke the rear axle of the of the trailer and forced the closure of the interstate until after noon, Wellman said.
The male driver of the semi was not injured.
Wellman said Las Vegas-bound traffic was diverted off the main highway from Southern California to Las Vegas for what amounted to a 13-mile (21-kilometer) detour on a parallel surface road to the next on-ramp at Sloan.