Summerlin Pedestrian Accident Claims Life in Hit-and-Run Crash

On the night of May 5, 2025, tragedy struck on West Charleston Boulevard in Summerlin, Nevada. A pedestrian was fatally struck in a hit-and-run crash near the 10250 block of W Charleston Blvd, just west of Pavilion Center Drive. According to reports from 8 News Now, the driver of the vehicle fled the scene, leaving the victim critically injured. Despite emergency response efforts, the pedestrian was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

This fatal Summerlin pedestrian accident has not only shaken the local community, but it has also reignited broader concerns about pedestrian safety across the Las Vegas Valley. In an area known for its high foot traffic, upscale shopping districts, and residential neighborhoods, this tragedy highlights the life-or-death consequences of reckless driving and driver inattention.

At Edward M. Bernstein & Associates, we believe that every pedestrian deserves to feel safe while walking in their community, and when that safety is violated by negligence or criminal behavior, the law offers avenues for justice. In this comprehensive blog, we’ll examine the details of the May 2025 crash, review Nevada pedestrian safety laws, analyze common causes of pedestrian accidents in Summerlin, and explain the legal rights available to victims and their families.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a pedestrian accident in Summerlin or anywhere in the Las Vegas area, call us at (702) 623-4518 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’re here to help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

Details About the Fatal Summerlin Pedestrian Accident on May 5, 2025

The Summerlin community was left in shock after a fatal pedestrian crash occurred along a busy corridor of West Charleston Boulevard. The deadly collision, which happened late in the evening, has raised important questions about pedestrian safety and driver accountability in one of Las Vegas’ most trafficked neighborhoods.

Where the Crash Occurred on West Charleston Boulevard

According to a report by 8 News Now, the crash occurred near 10250 W Charleston Blvd, just west of Pavilion Center Drive. This location sits in the heart of the Summerlin area, a bustling mixed-use district home to shopping centers, restaurants, fitness studios, and high-density residential housing.

This stretch of Charleston Boulevard features multiple lanes of traffic in both directions and is known for frequent pedestrian activity. The area has minimal lighting and limited crosswalk access in certain zones, which can increase the danger for individuals on foot, particularly after dark. View the exact crash site on Google Maps.

What Police Say About the Hit-and-Run Crash

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the scene at approximately 8:30 p.m. The initial investigation revealed that a vehicle struck the pedestrian in the westbound lanes and immediately fled the scene without stopping to render aid or call 911.

The victim, an unidentified adult male, was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died as a result of the crash. As of this writing, the driver has not been located, and no arrests have been made. Authorities continue to urge the public to come forward with any information related to the vehicle or driver involved.

Those with knowledge of the incident are encouraged to contact LVMPD’s traffic unit.

How This Crash Compares to Broader Pedestrian Safety Concerns in Nevada

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has consistently ranked Nevada among the top states for pedestrian fatalities per capita. In 2023 alone, Nevada recorded over 90 pedestrian deaths, many of them occurring in Clark County. According to the Governor’s Office of Traffic Safety, nearly one in four traffic fatalities in the state involves a pedestrian.

The Summerlin accident underscores the urgency of improving infrastructure and driver awareness in high-foot-traffic areas like Charleston Boulevard. The absence of marked crosswalks, the layout of large intersections, and limited nighttime visibility are all risk factors under review by city officials and safety advocates.

What Commonly Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Summerlin

While the May 2025 Summerlin pedestrian accident is still under investigation, patterns observed in similar crashes across Las Vegas and Nevada suggest a number of contributing factors. From distracted and impaired driving to unsafe infrastructure and driver inexperience, these causes are not only common but also often preventable. Understanding them is essential for raising awareness, supporting accountability, and ultimately preventing further tragedies on local roadways.

Distracted Driving on Charleston Boulevard and Other Busy Corridors

Distracted driving remains one of the most significant dangers facing pedestrians throughout Southern Nevada. On wide arterial roads like West Charleston Boulevard, even a brief lapse in attention can have deadly consequences. When a driver takes their eyes off the road to check a text, adjust the navigation system, or interact with in-car entertainment, they can easily fail to see a pedestrian entering or already in a crosswalk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3,000 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2022 alone. Many of those victims were pedestrians or cyclists. The Nevada Department of Transportation and Zero Fatalities Nevada continue to classify distracted driving as a statewide epidemic.

Summerlin’s mixed-use layout, which includes shopping plazas, high-end residential developments, and restaurants, encourages both vehicle and foot traffic. This makes it particularly dangerous when drivers split their attention between their phones and the road. Many pedestrian accidents occur not because drivers never saw the pedestrian, but because they never looked.

The Role of Smartphones and Touchscreens

Modern vehicles now include touchscreen infotainment systems, Bluetooth integration, and mobile app features that may enhance convenience but also increase cognitive distraction. A driver scrolling through a playlist or toggling between digital maps and messaging apps may never realize a pedestrian is crossing ahead.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that the average text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds. At 45 miles per hour, the speed limit for parts of Charleston Boulevard which equates to driving the length of a football field without looking.

Speeding in Areas Where Pedestrians Are Common

Speeding dramatically increases both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of injuries sustained. This is especially true for pedestrians, who have no protection from impact. In Summerlin, where residential zones and commercial centers are connected by wide, multilane roads, speeding is an ever-present danger.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the risk of pedestrian death rises exponentially with vehicle speed. At 20 mph, there’s a 5% risk that a pedestrian will be killed if hit by a car. At 40 mph, that risk jumps to 85%. This makes even moderate speeding incredibly dangerous on roads like Charleston, Sahara, and Town Center Drive, all of which see heavy foot traffic near intersections, bus stops, and crosswalks.

Enforcement Gaps and Public Perception of Speed

Despite speed limits, enforcement is inconsistent in many parts of Summerlin. Drivers may become accustomed to racing from red light to red light, especially during late evening hours when traffic thins. The perception that speeding “a little” is harmless can lead to devastating outcomes when pedestrians are present.

The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety has consistently flagged speeding as a top contributing factor in statewide traffic deaths. Programs like “Joining Forces” aim to combat this through law enforcement partnerships, but compliance remains low in many suburban zones.

Failure to Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalks

Nevada law is clear: drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Yet many crashes occur precisely because drivers ignore or fail to see these rules in action. On May 5, 2025, the Summerlin accident, early reports suggest the driver struck the pedestrian while they were lawfully within the roadway, a tragic reminder of how easily failure to yield becomes fatal.

According to NRS 484B.283, drivers must stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk when the pedestrian is on or approaching their side of the road. This statute applies regardless of whether the pedestrian has a walk signal.

Left Turns and Unprotected Intersections

One of the most dangerous maneuvers for pedestrians is when a driver makes a left turn at an intersection. Drivers often look for gaps in traffic and fail to scan for pedestrians already crossing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes that left-turning vehicles are disproportionately involved in urban pedestrian crashes.

Intersections in Summerlin, such as Pavilion Center Drive & Charleston Boulevard and Sahara Avenue & Hualapai Way, are especially problematic, with wide corners and turn lanes that enable fast, sweeping movements by drivers who may not notice or anticipate a pedestrian crossing with the signal.

Impaired Driving in Suburban Las Vegas

Driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or prescription drugs remains a top cause of pedestrian fatalities throughout Clark County. Even in upscale communities like Summerlin, impaired drivers continue to make reckless decisions with devastating consequences.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety reports that nearly half of all pedestrian deaths in the state involve alcohol or drug use by the driver, the pedestrian, or both. Impairment dulls reaction times, narrows peripheral vision, and increases the likelihood of poor decision-making, especially at night when visibility is already reduced.

Why Impaired Drivers Are So Dangerous to Pedestrians

Pedestrians depend on drivers to see them, slow down, and yield. An impaired driver may not process a pedestrian’s movement across the road until it’s too late. Some may fail to break entirely. This is especially tragic given that many pedestrian collisions are avoidable with even basic attentiveness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies impaired driving as one of the most preventable causes of traffic fatalities. Still, in Las Vegas Valley suburbs where nightlife, alcohol delivery, and dispensaries are increasingly accessible, intoxicated driving continues to threaten vulnerable road users.

Poor Infrastructure and Inadequate Pedestrian Facilities

In many cases, it’s not just driver behavior that causes pedestrian accidents; it’s infrastructure. Poorly lit intersections, faded crosswalks, and a lack of pedestrian refuge areas can all increase the danger to those on foot. Although Summerlin is often praised for its aesthetic design and community planning, many of its arterial roads were constructed with vehicles, not pedestrians, as the top priority.

A report by the Smart Growth America’s Dangerous by Design initiative identified Las Vegas among the most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians. Much of this danger stems from suburban sprawl, where multi-lane roads intersect shopping centers and residential communities without sufficient pedestrian crossings or traffic calming measures.

Nighttime Visibility and Street Lighting

Pedestrian crashes are significantly more likely to occur at night, especially in areas where lighting is sparse or inconsistent. In the Summerlin crash on May 5, the hit-and-run occurred during evening hours, when glare, shadows, and headlight limitations may have played a role.

According to the National Institute for Highway Safety, over 70% of pedestrian deaths occur at night. Yet many city planners still underestimate the role lighting plays in pedestrian safety. Crosswalks lacking reflective striping or pedestrian-activated flashers can make it difficult for even sober, attentive drivers to see someone crossing.

Pedestrian Rights and Nevada Laws That Apply to the Summerlin Accident

When a pedestrian is injured or killed in a traffic collision, Nevada law offers specific legal protections and avenues for justice. Understanding these rights is essential for anyone affected by a crash like the one that occurred on May 5, 2025, in Summerlin. Both drivers and pedestrians have legal duties under Nevada Revised Statutes, but when drivers violate those duties, especially in cases of hit-and-run, they can be held civilly and criminally liable.

Nevada Law Gives Pedestrians the Right of Way in Most Situations

In Nevada, pedestrians are granted extensive legal protections, particularly in crosswalks and intersections. Under NRS 484B.287, all drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. This includes both signal-controlled intersections and midblock crossings.

Drivers must remain stopped until the pedestrian has completely crossed their lane and at least one adjacent lane in the same direction. Failure to yield in these circumstances is a direct violation of state traffic law and a common cause of fatal collisions like the Summerlin pedestrian accident.

What Happens When the Pedestrian Is in an Unmarked Crosswalk

Even when a crosswalk isn’t painted, Nevada law still recognizes its existence at most four-way intersections. According to the Nevada Department of Transportation, every corner intersection is presumed to have a crosswalk unless signage indicates otherwise.

This is critical in suburban zones like Summerlin, where pedestrian pathways often merge into traffic areas with minimal street markings. In these cases, the law still protects the pedestrian’s right to cross, and drivers are obligated to stop.

Hit-and-Run Is a Felony Offense in Nevada

Fleeing the scene of a crash is one of the most serious traffic violations under Nevada law. The driver in the May 5 Summerlin incident left the scene after striking the pedestrian, a violation of NRS 484E.010, which requires all drivers involved in a crash that results in injury or death to immediately stop, provide aid, and report the accident to police.

When a driver fails to stop and a death occurs, the crime becomes a category B felony, punishable by 2 to 20 years in state prison and a mandatory license revocation under NRS 483.460.

The Civil Consequences of a Hit-and-Run Crash

Beyond criminal prosecution, a driver who commits a hit-and-run can also face punitive damages in a civil wrongful death lawsuit. These damages are meant to punish egregiously reckless behavior and send a message to other drivers. Nevada courts are often willing to award punitive damages when the driver’s conduct shows a clear disregard for human life, such as fleeing a crash scene or driving under the influence.

The American Bar Association notes that hit-and-run cases often involve both criminal and civil proceedings, and victims or their families should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Comparative Negligence in Nevada Pedestrian Injury Cases

Nevada uses a modified comparative negligence rule under NRS 41.141. This means that a pedestrian can still recover compensation even if they were partially at fault for the accident, as long as they are not more than 50% responsible.

For example, if a court determines that a pedestrian crossed against a signal but the driver was speeding and failed to stop, the pedestrian may be assigned partial fault. If they are found 30% at fault, they can still recover 70% of the total damages awarded.

Why Evidence Collection Matters Under Comparative Fault Rules

Proving liability is critical when comparative fault is in play. In the Summerlin crash, security camera footage, eyewitness accounts, vehicle damage, and skid mark analysis can all play a role in establishing fault. Experienced attorneys may also consult accident reconstruction experts to clarify how the crash unfolded and whether the pedestrian was in the roadway lawfully.

The National Safety Council encourages municipalities to maintain traffic cameras and intersection data logs, which can help verify traffic signal timing, driver behavior, and pedestrian actions.

Legal Options After a Summerlin Pedestrian Accident

For families impacted by the May 5, 2025, hit-and-run in Summerlin, the days and weeks following the tragedy are filled with grief, confusion, and difficult decisions. But under Nevada law, victims and surviving loved ones may be entitled to pursue justice through civil litigation even while a criminal investigation is still pending. Whether you’re dealing with medical bills, funeral costs, or long-term trauma, understanding your legal options is essential to protecting your rights.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Nevada

When a pedestrian is killed in a crash caused by another person’s negligence, surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit under NRS 41.085. This civil claim allows spouses, children, and other legal heirs to seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver or their insurer for the harm their loved one endured and the losses suffered by the family.

Wrongful death lawsuits are often filed in parallel with a criminal case (such as felony hit-and-run), but they follow a separate legal process. Even if the driver is never found guilty in criminal court, they can still be held liable in civil court under a lower burden of proof.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Under Nevada law, the following parties may bring a wrongful death claim:

• The decedent’s spouse or domestic partner
  
• The decedent’s children
  
• If none of the above exist, the parents or next of kin
  
• The personal representative of the deceased person’s estate

Each of these individuals can seek damages for loss of financial support, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses, among other costs.

The Nevada Justice Association advises families to act quickly, as the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Nevada is two years from the date of death.

Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim if the Victim Survives

If a pedestrian survives a serious crash but sustains injuries, such as broken bones, head trauma, or spinal damage, they may file a personal injury claim against the negligent driver. This type of claim allows the injured person to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and any future medical care.

According to the American Association for Justice, personal injury claims are designed not only to cover financial losses but also to recognize the personal and emotional toll that a traumatic crash can have on a survivor.

Calculating Damages in a Personal Injury Case

A qualified attorney will work with medical professionals, life care planners, and economists to calculate the full value of the victim’s losses, including:

• Emergency room and hospital bills
  
• Surgical procedures and physical therapy
  
• Lost earning capacity if the victim can’t return to work
  
• Long-term care or home modifications
  
• Non-economic damages like mental anguish and loss of quality of life

The Nevada Division of Insurance also guides how auto liability coverage interacts with civil claims, including underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage (MedPay).

What Happens If the At-Fault Driver Cannot Be Found

In cases like the May 2025 Summerlin hit-and-run, the at-fault driver may flee the scene and remain unidentified for weeks or even months. This does not mean that victims or their families are without legal options.

If the pedestrian or their family carried uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, they may file a claim through their auto insurance policy. UM coverage is specifically designed to help when the at-fault driver is uninsured or unknown.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, UM benefits can be used for:

• Medical expenses
  
• Lost income
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Funeral costs in fatal accidents

Why Prompt Legal Help Is Critical in Hit-and-Run Cases

Insurance companies often dispute or undervalue UM claims, particularly in fatal pedestrian accidents. Having a skilled personal injury attorney ensures that evidence is preserved, claims are filed correctly, and no detail is overlooked. At Ed Bernstein & Associates, our team begins investigations immediately, using local surveillance footage, witness statements, crash data, and public tips to build the strongest possible case even when the driver hasn’t been found.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and organizations like Nevada Crime Stoppers often offer tip lines for anonymous reports in fatal hit-and-run cases. Civil attorneys can use information from these investigations to support parallel claims in court.

Get Legal Help After a Summerlin Pedestrian Accident

If you or someone you love has been affected by a pedestrian accident in Summerlin, especially one involving a hit-and-run driver, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Whether you’re dealing with catastrophic injuries, the wrongful death of a family member, or unanswered questions about liability, the legal team at Edward M. Bernstein & Associates is here to help you find clarity, accountability, and compensation.

We have over 40 years of experience holding negligent drivers, insurance companies, and third parties accountable in high-stakes personal injury and wrongful death cases across Nevada. Our attorneys will investigate the crash, gather critical evidence, work with medical and accident reconstruction experts, and fight for every dollar you’re owed. And if the at-fault driver has not yet been identified, we will explore every available source of recovery, including uninsured motorist benefits and civil subpoenas. You deserve justice after a Summerlin pedestrian accident, and we’re ready to fight for it.

There are no upfront fees and no hidden costs, just experienced legal help from a team that truly cares. Contact Edward M. Bernstein & Associates today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation:

Call us at (702) 623-4518 or visit our contact page to send a message.