Truck driver who killed three people outside Las Vegas could be released on parole

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Video obtained by 8 News Now investigators shows a truck driver driving on the wrong side of the road for nearly half a minute before colliding with a group of motorcyclists, killing three of them in an accident that state police believe may have involved driver impairment, but apparently did not. (LVMPD/KLAS)

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The man who killed three motorcyclists earlier this year while riding on the wrong side of the road could receive probation as part of a settlement, investigators told 8 News Now.

Claude Rafiki, 29, of Michigan, pleaded guilty to three counts of reckless driving causing death. The crash occurred on March 23 on State Route 163 near Laughlin. Rafiki was initially charged with driving under the influence, but prosecutors later dropped the charge because test results showed no alcohol or drugs in his system.

As part of the deal, prosecutors could argue for Judge Joe Hardy of Clark County District Court to sentence Rafiki to a minimum of four years in prison and a maximum of 10 years. The sentence is always at the judge’s discretion, but most judges agree to a negotiated sentence. In this case, since prosecutors can argue for the sentence but the prison sentence is not part of the agreement, the sentence rests solely on Hardy.

According to the coroner, Owen Hart (22), Athena Faye Taylor (21) and Jeremy Gebo (44), all from St. George, Utah, were killed in the accident.

Rafiki was driving in the No. 1 lane — the lane closest to the center line — rather than the No. 2 lane, as is required for semi-trucks, a Nevada State Police Highway Patrol trooper told a grand jury. Rafiki then drove on the wrong side of the road for 25 seconds, documents say.

Rafiki told police the “wind” was pushing him in the wrong direction, documents say. He said he was not impaired and was taking anti-seizure medication, documents say. A police officer testified that when he arrived at the scene of the accident, “there was definitely wind.”

Under Nevada law, a person convicted of reckless driving causing death can serve between one and six years in prison per count, and the crime is eligible for probation.

As part of Rafiki’s plea deal, he would serve the sentence concurrently, meaning it’s unlikely Hardy would sentence him to more than 10 years total if he opts for prison time instead of probation.

Rafiki held a valid Michigan commercial driver’s license at the time of the crash, but his two-year medical certificate expired on March 24 – the day after the crash, according to documents obtained by 8 News Now investigators. Drivers in Michigan are required to provide an updated medical certificate before the expiration date, Michigan Secretary of State officials confirmed. Because he did not provide updated medical certificate information, Rafiki’s license was downgraded and his CDL is no longer valid as of March 24.

In response to 8 News Now Investigators’ reporting in May about Rafiki’s license, several truck drivers said Rafiki could have gotten an updated medical certificate at a rest stop in Nevada and did not necessarily need to return to Michigan. However, it was unclear if that was possible because Rafiki was taking anti-seizure medication.

Beyond the information contained in the documents, State Police never released any further information about their reasons for believing Rafiki was impaired.

Rafiki remained in custody on $500,000 bail Friday and was scheduled to be sentenced on August 7.