Two Nevada State Police troopers were tragically killed in a hit-and-run crash in Las Vegas, which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning. The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Jemarcus Williams, was arrested and appeared in court on Friday, where bail was set at $500,000. Prosecutors revealed that Williams had been drinking at the Palms and was escorted out due to his intoxication. Security at the Palms warned him that they would call the police if he got into his vehicle, but he eventually left the premises and got behind the wheel. Williams allegedly struck the two officers, Sgt. Michael Abbate and Trooper Alberto Felix, who had stopped to assist a driver on Interstate 15.
Undersheriff Andrew Walsh of the Las Vegas police stated that the driver fled the scene after hitting the officers, leading to an hours-long search before the car involved in the hit-and-run was found at a nearby apartment complex. Williams is facing charges of reckless driving, DUI, and failing to stop at the scene of the crash. If convicted, he could receive a sentencing enhancement due to the deaths of the two officers.
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The tragic incident has deeply affected the Nevada State Police, with Walsh emphasizing the need for support from the community during this difficult time. The officers, Sgt. Abbate and Trooper Felix, were highly respected members of the force. Sgt. Abbate had recently been promoted to sergeant, while Trooper Felix had previously served in the U.S. Air Force.
Following the incident, Governor Joe Lombardo ordered all U.S. flags in Nevada to be flown at half-staff until the troopers’ funerals as a mark of respect. The deaths of the two troopers have been described as a devastating loss for Nevada law enforcement and the city of Las Vegas.
The incident has also raised concerns about traffic safety and the dangers faced by law enforcement officers on duty. This is not the first time a Nevada State Police trooper has been killed in the line of duty on Interstate 15. In 2021, Trooper Micah May was struck and killed while pursuing a stolen vehicle. The circumstances surrounding these incidents highlight the risks faced by law enforcement officers and the importance of ensuring their safety while carrying out their duties on the state’s busiest freeway.
