Las Vegas Bicyclist Killed After Alleged Intoxicated Bus Driver Hits Him

Posted on: November 18, 2023, 07:03h. 

Last updated on: November 20, 2023, 12:52h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A local bus driver is suspected of DUI after allegedly driving a public bus through a red light and striking a man on a bicycle in Las Vegas on Friday. The bicyclist died from his injuries.

The driver was identified by the Las Vegas Review-Journal as Johnelle Johnson, 46. Johnson is scheduled to appear in Las Vegas Justice Court on Saturday on DUI and traffic charges.

She was booked at the Clark County Detention Center following the crash. Johnson was still behind bars as of early Saturday.

The bicyclist was rushed to the nearby Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. Doctors there pronounced him dead soon after arriving at the hospital.

The 33-year-old victim wasn’t immediately identified. The Clark County coroner’s office will confirm his identity and notify his relatives about the death. His body will likely undergo an autopsy to confirm the cause and manner of death.

Police didn’t immediately reveal a description of the man’s injuries.

The deadly crash took place at about 2:56 p.m. near the intersection of East Tropicana Avenue and South Nellis Boulevard in southwestern Las Vegas.

Passengers on Bus

Johnson was driving the RTC bus eastbound at the time of the collision. None of the passengers on the bus was injured, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS.

After going through the red traffic light, Johnson crashed the bus into the left side of the bicyclist, KLAS reported. The bicyclist was riding across the street when he was struck by the bus, according to the Review-Journal.

He was riding a BMX-style bicycle.

Alleged Signs of Impairment

When Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) officers arrived at the scene, they observed that Johnson was exhibiting signs of being intoxicated, authorities said. A specialized LVMPD unit, the Collision Investigation Section, was continuing to investigate the deadly crash late Friday.

It was unclear if Johnson was given a field sobriety test or was tested for the presence of other substances. No word if Johnson was placed on leave by the RTC following the accident.

Friday’s accident is the 133rd traffic fatality investigated by the LVMPD so far this year.

Johnson is employed by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada. That agency provides public bus service for Las Vegas.

Casino.org reached out to the RTC for comment. No immediate statement was provided.