LAS VEGAS — A routine Thursday afternoon commute on Blue Diamond Road turned deadly when a driver allegedly ran a red light, triggering a two-vehicle collision that ultimately claimed the life of a 79-year-old woman, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The crash occurred at approximately 4:44 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2025, near the busy intersection of Blue Diamond Road and South Valley View Boulevard, an area known for heavy daily commuter traffic and significant east–west travel between the southwest valley and Interstate 15. LVMPD Traffic Bureau detectives said the collision began when a 2019 Honda Civic traveling eastbound on Blue Diamond Road failed to stop for a fresh red signal as it approached the intersection.

Sequence of Events

According to witness statements and physical evidence documented at the scene, the Honda was traveling in the far-right eastbound travel lane — referred to as T4, the rightmost of the four eastbound lanes. At the same time, a 2021 Kia Forte driven by 43-year-old Kitrena Howell was stopped at the red light, facing southbound on Valley View Boulevard just north of the intersection.

When the traffic signal cycled to green for southbound traffic, Howell legally entered the intersection to continue south. Moments later, the Honda Civic, driven by 20-year-old Elaina Lopez, entered the intersection against the red light and collided with the Kia.

The impact left both vehicles damaged and temporarily blocked portions of the intersection, disrupting traffic during the start of the evening rush hour. Several passing motorists called 911, prompting a rapid response from patrol officers, medical personnel, and fire crews.

Immediate Aftermath and Emergency Response

Emergency medical personnel arrived to find three injured individuals — the two drivers and one passenger. The 79-year-old female passenger riding in the Honda Civic was reported to have sustained serious injuries, while both Lopez and Howell suffered minor injuries, according to LVMPD.

The Honda’s passenger was taken by ambulance to UMC Trauma Center, where medical teams initiated extensive life-saving measures. Lopez, the Honda’s driver, also went to UMC but was transported privately by family members. Howell, the Kia driver, was transported by ambulance with minor injuries and was later reported to be in stable condition.

Because the initial assessment indicated survivable injuries, the responding patrol officers did not request the LVMPD Collision Investigation Section to respond immediately to the scene. The case initially remained a standard traffic-investigation matter handled by patrol officers.

Authorities Later Notified of Fatality

Later that evening, the situation turned tragic. At some point on the night of Nov. 20, a representative from the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner contacted LVMPD investigators to report that the Honda passenger had succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The newly reported fatality prompted a full transfer of the case to the department’s Collision Investigation Section, which now considers the crash a traffic-related death. This marks the 145th traffic-related fatality within LVMPD jurisdiction for 2025 — a number that continues to climb late in the year.

Drivers Cooperating With Investigators

LVMPD said both drivers cooperated fully with the investigation and showed no signs of impairment at the scene. Investigators have not announced any citations or criminal charges as of Friday, but they emphasized the case remains active.

Evidence strongly suggests the crash was caused by the Honda entering the intersection against the red signal, though investigators will review surveillance video, vehicle black-box data, and additional witness statements to determine whether speed or distraction played a role.

Traffic Safety Concerns in the Area

Blue Diamond Road has long been a high-volume corridor with a history of serious crashes. The stretch near Valley View Boulevard features multiple travel lanes, turning pockets, and busy intersections serving residential areas, commercial businesses, and the growing southwest valley.

Traffic engineers and local authorities have frequently cited red-light violations, speeding, and heavy congestion as contributing factors to numerous collisions along the roadway. Even with visible traffic signals and posted speed limits, fast-moving eastbound traffic often creates challenging conditions during peak travel hours.

The fatality underscores ongoing safety challenges on some of Las Vegas’ busiest arterial roadways. In recent years, LVMPD and regional transportation partners have conducted periodic enforcement campaigns targeting red-light runners, reckless driving, and speeders along Blue Diamond Road and nearby corridors such as Durango Drive and Decatur Boulevard.

Ongoing Investigation

The Collision Investigation Section is now leading the inquiry into the fatal crash. Detectives routinely reconstruct the sequence of events in fatal collisions, using on-scene measurements, evidence mapping, witness interviews, and available surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras.

The process can take weeks or months, depending on the availability of medical reports, forensic findings, and technical data. LVMPD encourages any witnesses who may have seen the collision, but have not yet spoken with investigators, to contact the department’s Traffic Bureau.

Community and Safety Impact

The death of the 79-year-old passenger highlights ongoing concerns about roadway safety and the human toll of traffic collisions across the Las Vegas Valley. With nearly 150 traffic deaths recorded by LVMPD in 2025, Clark County continues to see some of the highest fatality rates in Nevada — a trend mirroring national increases in severe crashes attributed to speeding, inattention, and traffic violations.

Local officials, safety advocates, and transportation agencies regularly urge residents to remain vigilant on the road, obey traffic signals, and avoid distractions — especially at major intersections where split-second decisions can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Victim Identification Pending

The Clark County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the deceased passenger once family notification is complete. LVMPD has not yet stated whether additional charges may be considered pending the outcome of the full investigation.

Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact LVMPD’s Traffic Bureau at 702-828-3595.