4 dead after car hits bus stop in Vegas

The scene from a deadly crash at a Las Vegas bus station Thursday, Sep. 13, 2012. / KLAS

Updated 8:53 PM ET

(AP) LAS VEGAS - A motorist faces four counts of driving under the influence after his speeding car went airborne Thursday and plowed into a Las Vegas bus stop, killing four pedestrians and injuring eight others.

All the victims appeared to be adults, and the four people killed were apparently pedestrians waiting at the bus stop, according to Las Vegas police officer Laura Meltzer.

"It's a pretty horrific scene out here," she said.

The driver, who police say will be booked into jail when he gets out of the hospital, was with three other passengers in the early morning crash. At least some of the occupants had to be removed from the vehicle, police said.

Debris and sheet-covered bodies remained on the scene several hours after the crash. Roads were shut down well into the afternoon as investigators worked to piece together the chain of events along the busy business corridor lined by fast-food restaurants, strip malls and gas stations two miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.

A police officer who was fueling his vehicle at a nearby convenience store watched as the car appeared to lose control and bottom out on a downward slope before leaving the pavement and slamming into the bus stop, according to police Sgt. Richard Strader.

"First responders said they smelled alcohol, and he even said something to the effect that he had been drinking," Strader said.

The vehicle, which came to rest in a fast-food restaurant parking lot, was so mangled that authorities initially had difficulty determining its make and model.

The driver survived but has a collapsed lung and possibly a broken back, according to police. He will be tested to determine his blood-alcohol content.

The driver and victims were not immediately identified. Three people remained in critical condition, according to Sunrise Hospital officials, while three others were in good to serious condition. Two were released after treatment.

Meltzer said some of the victims were dismembered. The bus stop was flattened and its roof landed 15 feet from the spot where the structure once stood. Newspaper stands and concrete littered the scene.

"It's so tragic because this is preventable," Meltzer said. "This person made a choice" to drive under the influence.

The four deaths brought the number of people killed in traffic accidents in Las Vegas police jurisdiction to 83 this year.

[mph4343]

Have been to Vegas 3 times and have been close to being run over each time. The enterances to the casino parking lots are like deathrace 2000...you step off that curb to cross and its scary how people will not stop. I can imagine sitting at a buss stop 4 feet from the road how scary that must be. Like Las Vegas Motor Speedway on the streets!

[sepa2]

Unless the driver was smoking s/he should be let off lightly. Because in our general consensus, smoking is vilified and drinking is celebrated

[jrwilkey]

I lived in Henderson/Las Vegas area for 7 years and rode the CAT Bus everyday to work. I can't tell you how many times I saw cars speeding around corners and coming within inches of hitting the bus stop where I was standing. It got to the point where I would stand about 30 feet away from it till I saw the bus pulling up. Many innocent people have died in Vegas at bus stops over the years. I think they should build concrete barriers on 3 sides with only enough room for passengers to board and depart from the bus. Long over due in my opinion.

[IKNOWNACOLA2]

When are we going to go after drunk losers with the same fury as mass murderers. If the driver was drunk I hope he is a quadriplegic so he can just lay there and think what damage he caused others.

[jgnv]

As a longtime LV resident I am sickened by this accident and strongly support adding more protection at bus stops in the valley. We have seen this sort of accident happen so often because the older areas in central LV do not have designated lanes for bus stops. As the economy in our area continues to decline, there are more and more people using the bus for transportation. As tragic as this accident was, hopefully it will result in the immediate redesign of all existing bus stops within the valley to ensure that transit commuters and pedestrians alike are provided the protection they deserve.

[33Mary]

I agree with you, however, sadly the city seems to feel it's more important to put these pedestrian bridges all over, when pedestrians can walk another 1/2 block and cross at the light! The TRUE question here is when the hell do drivers start paying attention and take responsibilty!!? This guy was drunk before 8am and took the lives of 4 people! And, even with a broken back and collapsed lung, he walked away!! People in this town do not take driving seriously and more tickets need to be given! The fines and jail time need to be increased!! Last year, as I exited the 95 fwy on a green light, a guy who was not paying attention ran his red light and t-boned me. He was doing 55mph!! He totalled my truck and I was taken by ambulance to the trauma center... he walked away. He was not insured, but is somehow his relative's MINIMAL policy is helping, but it doesn't even cover my bills for that day alone... and he is out still driving! And the same kind of accident as mine has repeated several times since then!! People are not paying attention and it's affecting the lives of the innocent. They said I was lucky to survive and I do feel lucky. I am very saddened that the 4 who lost their lives today were not as fortunate. I am sad for them and their families! PAY ATTENTION! DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE! Treat it that way! Stop affecting the lives of others! If you are drunk or simply can't pay attention... DON'T DRIVE!

[Rejco100]

Why didn't the 12-Step religious AA cult's "Higher Power" stop this?

A REAL "HIGHER POWER" would work 100% of the time!

[linfinster]

You clearly do not have a grasp on what the "higher power" is all about! It is so misunderstood these days.

[goddessmothe]

Why didn't YOU use your "Higher Power" to stop this? We need real powerful guys like you to save the world, since you obviously think there is no one higher than yourself.