LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Police across Nevada are coordinating a joint campaign to crack down on impaired driving after two DUI crashes left a teenager dead and a mother and child fighting for their lives.
The joint task force aims to save lives by increasing public awareness through rolling DUI blitzes. The Nevada Highway Patrol, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, North Las Vegas Police Department, and the Henderson Police Department are joining forces in a campaign focused on impaired driving and impaired riding.
During the campaign, officers from across the state will work with LVMPD air units, phlebotomists, ID technicians and dispatchers to conduct the coordinated enforcement.
Recent crashes prompt action
On Sunday night, 28-year-old Gavin Caci drove his vehicle onto the sidewalk along Harmon Avenue, hitting a family. The crash sent a woman and a toddler to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Caci was under the influence and fled the scene before police arrested him.
On Saturday night, a 17-year-old boy was hit and killed by an RV driver. The teen was crossing Lake Mead Boulevard inside the crosswalk when the RV failed to yield, hitting and killing him before driving away. Police later arrested 65-year-old Mark Clayton, who was also under the influence.
Safety advocates issue warning
Erin Breen, director of the UNLV Road Equity Alliance, warned conscientious drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant.
“To the people who are conscientious drivers, never go on a green light in our town. Always look to your left, make sure every vehicle that could potentially come through that intersection and take your life is stopped, because it’s a huge problem,” Breen said.
Breen said prevention starts before a driver gets behind the wheel.
“Getting people to understand that it’s not hyperbole. We’re not making this stuff up. We’re not trying to scare you. We’re talking realities. This could very well happen to you. I think the most important thing is to try to get people to plan ahead and have a plan for making sure that they’re safely traveling,” she said.
Both drivers are in custody, facing multiple felonies. Clayton faces DUI resulting in death, reckless driving resulting in death, and duty to stop at the scene of a crash. Caci faces two charges of DUI resulting in serious bodily harm, two charges of reckless driving resulting in death or serious bodily harm, and four counts of duty to stop at the scene of an accident.
The campaign will run through Feb. 22 and is supported by a grant from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety.
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