Teen driver killed in Monday accident identified

Steve Marcus

Officials investigate a single-vehicle fatal crash at Lake Mead Boulevard at Tonopah Drive Monday, April 2, 2012. The car crashed into a utility box, killing the driver and sending the passenger to the hospital, police said.

By Jackie Valley (contact)

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 | 9:39 a.m.

Fatal accident on Lake Mead Blvd

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Accident scene

The 18-year-old killed Monday in an accident involving a stolen vehicle has been identified as Alberto Paredes, according to the Clark County Coroner’s Office.
Paredes, of North Las Vegas, died from blunt force trauma to the head, the coroner said. His death was ruled an accident.
The accident happened at 9:39 a.m. Monday near the intersection of Lake Mead Boulevard and Tonopah Drive. Police said dispatch received a call shortly before the accident indicating a person was driving erratically.
Witnesses said a 1997 Saturn SL sedan was traveling east on Lake Mead Boulevard, west of Tonopah Drive, when the driver apparently lost control and the car slid sideways, police said.
The car struck the southeast curb of the intersection and a traffic-signal control box before coming to rest on nearby grass, police said
Paramedics pronounced Paredes, who was the driver, dead on the scene, police said. His passenger, a 16-year-old boy, was taken to University Medical Center’s trauma unit with life-threatening injuries, police said.
It’s unclear whether the teens had been involved in the auto theft.
The accident marked the 34th traffic-related fatality in Metro’s jurisdiction this year.