LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A driver suspected of DUI in a deadly crash, while he had a child in his vehicle, had a previous DUI arrest, according to court documents.
Pedro Chavez Martinez, 45, was arrested following a late-night New Year’s Eve crash involving a motorcycle near E. Flamingo Road, east of U.S. 95/I-11. According to the arrest report, Chavez Martinez told police he had two glasses of wine but proceeded to fail the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and a voluntary breath test showed him at .143, nearly twice the legal limit.
The crash occured when Chavez Martinez who was traveling westbound on Flamingo made a left turn crossing the path of the motorcycle which was traveling eastbound. The two collided and the motorcyclist died, police said.
A man who said he witnessed the crash told officers the motorcyclist had run through a red signal before the collision.
According to the arrest report, police who responded to the scene said the motorcycle was on fire and it was initially believed the motorcyclist had fled the scene. However, his body was later discovered in the front yard of a home.
Court documents show Chavez Martinez was arrested in 2021 for DUI and pleaded no contest, which means he accepted the conviction without accepting guilt. He received a suspended jail sentence, went to DUI school, performed community service, and used a Breath Interlock Device.
Chavez Martinez is currently facing misdemeanor charges of DUI (2nd offense) and child endangerment for having a 9-year-old boy in his vehicle at the time of the crash, the report stated.
The crash remains under investigation and due to the possibility that Chavez Martinez caused the crash, the report said he underwent two blood draws. The results of those tests were not released in the report. If it’s determined he caused the crash, he could face felony instead of misdemeanor charges.
