LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A family is in mourning after losing their daughter in a crash in North Las Vegas days after Christmas.
Zamariea Butler had just turned 18 years old and was a new mom. She had also recently lost her mother four months before the crash, according to the family.
The crash happened on Dec. 29, around 3 a.m. at the intersection of Tropical Parkway and North 5th Street.
Zamariea’s father Damany Butler, told 8 News Now she was riding in a car with friends when they were struck by a driver who now faces DUI and reckless driving charges.
“It’s really hard for me to picture a world without her in it,” Damany expressed. “Four people total in the vehicle, a driver, passenger, and then there were two passengers in the back one of them being my daughter.”
According to police, a Chrysler 200 was heading west on Tropical Parkway and attempted to make a left turn at a green light, while a Jeep Cherokee, traveling east, was approaching a red light. As the Chrysler 200 reached the middle of the intersection during its turn, the Jeep Cherokee ran the red light and crashed into it, North Las Vegas Police said.
Two passengers in the back seat of the Chrysler 200 were ejected from the vehicle and were found lying on the roadway, police said. Of the two individuals, a woman later identified as Zamariea, was pronounced dead at the scene, and a man was critically injured and was taken to a nearby hospital, police said. Additionally, the driver of the Chrysler and the front passengers also suffered injuries.
During the police investigation officers said the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, who was later identified as Bria Standley, 30, initially left the scene on foot before officers arrived but was found at a nearby park and arrested, police stated.
Standley currently faces charges including DUI resulting in death, DUI causing serious injury, reckless driving, failure to stop after an accident, and failure to render aid, according to police.
Zamariea’s grandmother told 8 News Now that she is devastated, and in disbelief that her grandchild is gone.
“She didn’t deserve this, she was riding in a car with some friends celebrating the holidays and Christmas had just passed,” Audrey Sylvester expressed. “She just turned 18 and she didn’t even see the first year of 2025.”
Sylvester added that she is distraught over the fact that someone else could be so careless, her family’s life changed forever.
As for Zamariea’s son, he too will have to live a life without her.
To help with funeral expenses Zamariea’s father Damany Butler set up a GoFundMe account titled “Help Zamariea’s Family in Their Time of Grief.”
