Accident – Death – Obituary News : LAS VEGAS – A devastating tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Feb. 21 on East Silverado Ranch Boulevard near Bermuda Road in Las Vegas. The peaceful night was shattered by the sound of screeching tires and the deafening crash of metal against concrete. Two cars, an orange 2022 Chevrolet Camaro and a maroon 2023 Mazda MX5, raced down the road at breakneck speeds, their drivers pushing the limits of their vehicles.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department swiftly responded to the scene of the collision, where they found the aftermath of a high-speed race gone horribly wrong. The Camaro and the Mazda collided, sending them spinning in opposite directions. The Camaro careened into a retaining wall, while the Mazda crashed into a light pole and a tree, trapping the passenger inside.
Tragically, the passenger of the Mazda, later identified as 24-year-old Jessica Dettlaff, was unable to escape the wreckage and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Mazda, 26-year-old Melissa Dettlaff, suffered injuries in the crash and was rushed to Sunrise Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Camaro, 24-year-old Jonathan Gallagher, sustained minor injuries and was taken to University Medical Center for evaluation. Despite passing a sobriety test at the scene, Gallagher’s involvement in the deadly race would have severe consequences.
Upon closer inspection, officers detected the smell of alcohol on Melissa Dettlaff, who was unable to complete a sobriety test due to her injuries. Blood samples were taken for analysis, with the results pending. Both Gallagher and Melissa Dettlaff admitted to being at Distill Bar before the collision, where they had been drinking.
The investigation revealed that the Camaro was clocked at speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour, while the Mazda was travelling at over 80 miles per hour. Both drivers now face charges of reckless driving resulting in death or bodily harm, as well as participating in a speed contest. Melissa Dettlaff could also be charged with DUI resulting in death, pending the blood test results.
As the legal process unfolds, Gallagher and Melissa Dettlaff await their court dates, each out on bail. Gallagher is set to appear in court on March 27, while Melissa Dettlaff’s court date is scheduled for March 26. The tragic events of that fateful night serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the devastating consequences it can have on the lives of those involved..