MOAPA (KTNV) — A deadly head-on collision forced the closure of the northbound lanes of Interstate 15 near Moapa on Sunday evening, according to information from Nevada State Police - Highway Patrol.
In an initial release, state police said all but one travel lane had been shut down. As of 8 p.m. Sunday, all northbound lanes were closed for the investigation.
We're told the crash happened at 6:43 p.m. near mile marker 94. Traffic is being diverted from the interstate onto Exit 93 for Logandale, "for vehicles to be turned around," state police said.
At least one person was killed in the collision, and four more are injured. An adult man died at the scene. Two people were taken by helicopter for treatment at area hospitals; another two were taken by ambulance.
State police say the crash involved two vehicles: a passenger sedan and a pickup truck. One of the vehicles was traveling southbound when its driver lost control, crashing head-on into a vehicle traveling northbound.
"Further information will be provided following the preliminary investigation," a state police spokesperson wrote.
Nevada State Police are advising motorists to avoid the area and use alternate routes.
As far as alternate routes go through this area, your options are limited.
We double-checked with Nevada State Police, who confirmed our suspicions that I-15 is the only direct route from that area to Mesquite and beyond.
It's possible to take U.S. 93 past Caliente and into Panaca, which would spit you back out near Cedar City, Utah — and take you past the largest wildfire currently burning in the Silver State, the Grapevine Fire in Lincoln County.
Your other option would be to travel south from Las Vegas on Interstate 40 into Arizona and continue on another northern route from there.
Each of those options will take you at least four hours out of the way, by our calculations — and likely more.
When we were assessing alternate route options, Google Maps wanted to take us east on Moapa Valley Boulevard and then north on Carp Elgin Road. We have not taken this road and cannot confirm whether it is a viable alternative, but much of it appeared to be unpaved, and it's hard to say whether it's a viable track for your average sedan. All signs point to proceeding with caution if you are going to try this route. (If you do try it and have insight into how it went, give us a call and let us know: 702-257-8383.)
