Las Vegas, NV – Two Nevada state troopers were tragically killed in the early morning hours on Thursday after being struck by an impaired driver while they stopped to assist a motorist on the state’s busiest freeway. The driver fled the scene but was later apprehended by authorities.
The driver, identified as 46-year-old Jemarcus Williams, now faces charges of reckless driving, DUI, and failing to stop at the scene of the crash. Court records indicate that if convicted, Williams could face additional punishment due to the deaths resulting from his alleged crimes.
The two officers were identified as Sgt. Michael Abbate is a recently promoted sergeant who joined the agency in 2013, and Trooper Alberto Felix joined in 2019 after serving in the U.S. Air Force.
The tragic incident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. when the two officers stopped to check on a driver who was asleep behind the wheel on Interstate 15 near downtown Las Vegas. A white Chevrolet HHR struck both officers before fleeing the scene. One trooper was pronounced dead at the hospital, while the other succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
Following the arrest of the suspect, a video released by the police department showed a somber procession of fellow officers escorting the bodies of the fallen troopers to the coroner’s office, with their blue and red police lights flashing.
Governor Joe Lombardo expressed his deep sadness over the officers’ deaths and ordered all U.S. flags in Nevada to be flown at half-staff until their funerals. Calling it a devastating loss, Lombardo hailed the bravery, courage, and sacrifice of the fallen officers.
This heartbreaking incident is not the first of its kind in the area. Last year, another state trooper was fatally struck on Interstate 15 during the pursuit of a stolen vehicle. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and Williams is scheduled to appear in court on Friday morning.