Local News

Actions

Coroner: Cause of death for driver in fiery triple fatal crash 'natural'

aug 13 fatal crash.jpg
Posted at 8:24 AM, Dec 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-16 21:46:01-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Clark County coroner has determined the cause of death for the three people killed in the fiery crash that occurred on Aug. 13.

The autopsy results determined that the death of the driver, 29-year-old Almetrine DeAngela Rushing, was due to dilated cardiomyopathy and her death was ruled as natural.

The Mayo Clinic defines dilated cardiomyopathy as "...a disease of the heart muscle, usually starting in your heart's main pumping chamber (left ventricle). The ventricle stretches and thins (dilates) and can't pump blood as well as a healthy heart can. The term "cardiomyopathy" is a general term that refers to the abnormality of the heart muscle itself."

The other two passengers' deaths, 8-year-old Jh'sani Deomor-Rushing and Artajha Smith, were both due to conflagration injuries and were ruled accidental.

The crash occurred at around 11:15 a.m. on the northbound Interstate 15/northbound U.S. 95 interchange.

Good Samaritans rescued a man and young girl from a second car involved in the incident.