A man is dead and a driver is on the loose after a fatal hit and run.
Authorities say it happened early this morning on U.S. 93 near Interstate 15.
Nevada Highway Patrol spokeswoman Chelsea Stuenkel tells Action News says a woman called authorities around 7 a.m., reporting a dead body on the side of the road.
"Someone had discovered a body on the side of the U.S. 93 highway,” she said.
LVMPD and Nevada Highway Patrol both responded and determined it was a fatal hit and run, not a homicide. Evidence on the scene suggests that the victim was hit by a semi-truck.
Authorities say the truck should have sustained damage to its front-right corner.
Nevada Highway Patrol is now taking charge of the search for that vehicle and the driver.
"We know that when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian, it's not damaged the same amount that it's damaged when it strikes another vehicle, therefore, these drivers have the ability to leave the scene because their cars are still operable," Stuenkel said.
She says there has been a staggering increase in the rate of pedestrian hit-and-runs in Las Vegas.
"We have a new law out there,” Stuenkel said. “If you're involved in a crash where there is serious bodily injury or a fatality you could serve two to twenty years in prison if you leave that scene. No matter if you're impaired or not."
The new law took effect Oct. 1 this year.
"We're hoping that this increase in punishment in the law will change that trend,” Stuenkel said.
Families deserve a complete and thorough investigation and all of the questions to be answered and we need people to stay on scene.”
Authorities describe the victim as an adult male in his 60's.
