“Mechanical failure,” not drunk driving, likely cause of van crash in parking lot that injured police officer and citizen

The accident was reported on July 2, 2024 at 6:25 p.m. on Lamb Blvd. near Boulder Hwy. (KLAS)

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department issued a press release early Wednesday morning with an update on an accident that occurred Tuesday evening that left an officer and a bystander hospitalized.

According to Metro, the driver of a van was initially suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and arrested, but police now believe the accident was caused by a “mechanical failure” that caused the van to leave the road and enter a parking lot, where it collided with a parked motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the 32-year-old police officer, causing moderate injuries, and the front of the van struck a pedestrian, causing moderate injuries to the 63-year-old man.

The van was traveling south on Lamb Boulevard toward Boulder Highway when the accident occurred just before 6:30 p.m. The injured officer was taken to University Medical Center for treatment and the citizen with serious injuries was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.

According to police, the driver of the van remained at the scene of the accident and showed no signs of impairment. Police said they are cooperating with the investigation.