Las Vegas, NV (July 27, 2026) – A driver ran a red light and struck two people on the shoulder of northbound Interstate 15 just south of Washington Avenue in Las Vegas on Saturday evening, July 25, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol. The crash, reported around 7:23 p.m., involved a white Ford pickup and a black Honda HR-V.
The pickup left the roadway and entered a decorative rock area, striking two people experiencing homelessness. One man ended up underneath the truck and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The second person was not transported and remained at the scene. All lanes in the area were blocked afterward. The investigation remains ongoing.
We hope the injured man has a full recovery.
Why Are Unhoused People at Higher Risk Near Roadways?
People who spend time along roadsides, whether resting, walking, or seeking shelter, face risks most drivers don’t fully consider. Shoulders and roadside spaces near a highway aren’t designed to be a safe place for anyone to stay, since vehicles traveling at high speed have very little margin for error if they drift off the road.
A vehicle leaving the travel lanes, whether from a mechanical issue, driver error, or a traffic violation, can cover significant ground before coming to a stop. Anyone standing or sitting near the edge of a highway has little time to react if a vehicle suddenly veers toward them.
Outreach organizations in many communities work to identify stretches of highway where people are known to stay, though there’s no way to fully eliminate the risk posed by fast-moving traffic just beyond a narrow shoulder.
