Woman intentionally driving on Las Vegas Strip sidewalk mowsdown dozens, police say

by KSNV

Woman intentionally driving on Las Vegas Strip sidewalk mows down dozens, police say. (KSNV/Kelsey Thomas)

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LAS VEGAS (KSNV) - Police say a woman intentionally plowed her car into dozens of

pedestrians while driving on a Las Vegas Strip sidewalk Sunday evening, killing one person

and injuring 36 others.

Six victims were listed in critical condition, but have since been upgraded to stable.

The crash occurred about 6:40 p.m. in front of the Paris Hotel & Casino and Planet

Hollywood, and police say the crash was an intentional act by the driver.

"At this point we are treating this as an intentional act" said Capt. Dan McGrath of Las

Vegas Metropolitan Police homicide. "She is in the detention center right now. She is

speaking to detectives. They are drawing her blood, and I expect her to be charged in the

next few hours."

LVMPD@LVMPD

Over 37 injured in crash on Las Vegas Blvd, one person is confirmed deceased, several still critical. Driver is in custody. #LVMPDnews9:49 PM - Dec 20, 2015

180 656 people are talking about this

One witness, Los Angeles resident Michal Jackson, said the car was initially driving slowly

on the sidewalk, and someone tried to get it to stop. Jackson said the car sped up when it

reached a group of people.

"It accelerated, and it just plowed through the group of people, and we were in shock," said

Jackson. "Then it kind of hopped off the curb, and there was a lady that was stuck under the

car, and when it hopped back on the curb, she was laying between the curb and the street,

and she wasn't moving at all."

Police con rmed the driver, described as a woman in her 20s, drove off the sidewalk after

hitting the victims, then drove back onto the sidewalk and hit more pedestrians. It is

possible the woman drove off and back on the sidewalk a third time, police said.

LVMPD@LVMPD

Deputy Chief Zimmerman: This was not an act of terrorism. Initial investigation appears this was intentional. 11:40 PM - Dec 20, 2015

61 202 people are talking about this

Jackson described what she witnessed when the car jumped back onto the sidewalk.

"There was another guy who was right next to her passenger window, banging on the door

to get it to stop, and then the car accelerated again, and that guy ew off the car," said

Jackson. "Then it made a right onto Flamingo Road, and that was the last we saw of the car."

LVMPD@LVMPD

Our thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families involved in this tragic event tonight.12:35 AM - Dec 21, 2015

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KSNV News 3@News3LV

The 96 Oldsmobile police say was driven intentionally into crowds in front of @ParisVegas news3lv.com/content/news/s… 12:55 AM - Dec 21, 2015

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The woman driving the offending vehicle drove away from the scene, but turned herself in

to security at the Tuscany Suites & Casino. Police say the driver had a 3-year-old child with

her who was not injured. The car had Oregon license plates.

Deputy Chief Brett Zimmerman says security footage will help police piece together

exactly what happened leading up to the collision.

Craig Fiegener@CraigNews3LV

Massive accident investigation on #LasVegas Strop- driver injures numerous people in crash. @News3LV 10:55 PM - Dec 20, 2015

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"Due to the area we're in--with numerous cameras belonging to the hotel, surveillance

cameras, and our RTC cameras--we will comb through that footage to get a detailed idea of

what occurred," said Zimmerman.

Police performed a eld sobriety test on the suspect. It is unclear whether she passed.

Kelsey Thomas@KelseyNews3LV

"The car stopped then accelerated. People were running to help." -witness who saw #LasVegas strip crash. @News3LV 11:10 PM - Dec 20, 2015

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Kelsey Thomas@KelseyNews3LV

"I thought it was a terrorist attack. I'm from California." -witness to #LasVegas strip crash. @News3LV 11:09 PM - Dec 20, 2015

5 19 people are talking about this

Craig Fiegener@CraigNews3LV

This is not the rst time pedestrians have been hit and killed on the Las Vegas Strip. In

September 2005, 14 were hit and three killed when a car driven by Stephen Ressa drove

onto a crowded sidewalk. He was given multiple life sentences.

A report from Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center said 11 victims had been transported

there, all in good condition.

UMC received 15 patients- 1 has died. The others are middle age, men/women, youngest is 11. @News3LV #LasVegasStrip 11:55 PM - Dec 20, 2015

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Ryan Goodman@RyanNews3LV

A closer look at #StripCrash suspect's car. Courtesy of chief photographer Ray Azarte. @News3LV

12:03 AM - Dec 21, 2015

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Fifteen victims were transported to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada

(UMC). At UMC, one victim was pronounced dead and three were in critical condition. The

other 11--including an 11-year-old boy--were listed in serious condition.

Three victims were sent to Spring Valley Hospital. Four were treated at the scene and

released.

Chloe Beardsley@ChloeNews3LV

Team coverage of the deadly strip crash in #LasVegas - Tune in to @News3LV for the latest details! #BREAKING 12:01 AM - Dec 21, 2015

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Las Vegas Metro Police currently have Las Vegas Boulevard closed between Harmon

Avenue and Flamingo Road. Sheriff Joseph Lombardo was expected to give more

information about the incident Monday.

Kelsey Thomas@KelseyNews3LV

Las Vegas Blvd. between Flamingo and Harmon expected to be closed until 6:00am. #LasVegas #StripCrash @News3LV 3:08 AM - Dec 21, 2015

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Ryan Goodman@R N 3LV

Governor Brian Sandoval released the following statement on the crash at the Las Vegas

Strip:

I have spoken with Sheriff Joe Lombardo and will remain in contact

with him as this incident continues to evolve and additional

information is released. The state stands ready to help and will provide

any assistance needed to ensure the safety of our visitors and

residents," said Governor Brian Sandoval. "Kathleen and I extend our

deepest sympathies to all who are affected by this shocking and tragic

event. Additionally, I would like to thank the rst responders and the

medical professionals who are caring for the victims this evening.

@RyanNews3LV

Closeup of the windshield. @News3LV #StripCrash 12:11 AM - Dec 21, 2015

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_______

Governor Sandoval@GovSandoval

NV stands ready to provide any assistance needed to ensure the safety of our visitors & residents in Las Vegas. 10:46 PM - Dec 20, 2015

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