Man, 19, critically injured when SUV goes off Laughlin parking garage’s fifth floor
A 19-year-old was critically injured Wednesday morning when his sport utility vehicle went off the edge of a Laughlin parking garage’s fifth floor, police said.
At 8:24 a.m., the SUV plummeted from the Edgewater casino’s parking garage, 2020 S. Casino Drive, after striking a barrier wall, the Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement Wednesday. Firefighters initially responded for medical assistance but called police to investigate.
The 19-year-old driver, Marcus Reif, of Golden Valley, Arizona, was the SUV’s only occupant at the time. He was airlifted to University Medical Center, where a family member said he was in “critical but stable” condition Wednesday night.
Police said it appeared that Reif’s 1998 Ford Expedition was heading north in the parking garage when it struck the barrier wall, which gave way. The SUV continued off the edge, falling face-first but starting to flip.
On the pavement below, the SUV crashed, landing roof-first.
“The entire rooftop was crushed from the weight of the vehicle,” the release said.
It was unclear whether Reif was trying to park when he went off the garage’s edge. Police said the incident remains under investigation.
Edgewater officials weren’t immediately available for comment.
Contact Rachel Crosby at rcrosby@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290. Find her on Twitter: @rachelacrosby
