LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The neighborhood is mourning the demise of 52-year-old Eric Echevarria following a devastating crash within the southwest valley.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police believed 19-year-old UNLV star recruit Zaon Collins appeared to by excessive whereas driving 88 mph in a 35 mph zone, based on an arrest report.
Zaon Collins, 19. (LVMPD)
Echevarria’s sister is surprised and indignant. Indignant that Collins isn’t in jail this New 12 months’s Eve, whereas they put together to bury a cherished one.
“Heartbroken proper now. I don’t even know the place to start,” Maria Echevarria stated. First getting a dreaded textual content message in New York about her brother, Eric.
“And instructed me that he was in a horrific automobile accident.” After which, a name quarter-hour later.
“Advised me my brother handed away. So it’s been very arduous for me and my household. My children are devastated, My nephew. His spouse. All people,” Marie stated.
The crash occurred within the southwest valley Wednesday afternoon round 3:30 p.m. Police stated Collins slammed into Eric Echevarria. An arrest report stated Collins was driving 88 mph in a 35 mph zone, with police saying he displayed indicators of marijuana intoxication.
What additionally does not make sense to Eric’s household is that Collins, a UNLV basketball recruit, was launched on courtroom monitoring by a decide due to his robust neighborhood ties.
“Nineteen years previous and also you took a life and also you get to spend New 12 months’s Eve with your loved ones and my brother’s not even right here,” Marie Echevarria stated.
Echevarria stated her brother was a custodian at a neighborhood faculty, an Military and Nationwide Guard Veteran, a loving brother, husband and nice father to his stepchildren.
“I simply need my brother’s story to be instructed,” Marie stated. “He was a very good man. I’m so sick and drained listening to about this child and his prospects and he’s a basketball participant. No. My brother’s the sufferer. Not him.”
Collins faces DUI and reckless driving costs. He is due again in courtroom on Jan. 7.
