Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) - Lawyers for a former Bishop Gorman High School basketball star charged in a crash that killed a Las Vegas man have filed motions to get the charges against their client dismissed.
Police say that Zaon Collins was driving nearly 90mph in a 35mph zone when he struck a car being driven by Eric Echevarria last December 30th near Blue Diamond and Fort Apache.
Investigators found a “green, leafy substance” in Collins’ car and said he exhibited signs of impairment at the crash scene.
This week, attorneys for Collins filed motions to have all charges in the case dismissed, saying that Echevarria was at fault for the crash. Echevarria was making a turn in-between two vehicles at the time, a turn Collins’ lawyers called unsafe.
Also at issue is Collins’ alleged impairment at the crash scene. Defense attorneys criticized Nevada’s marijuana laws when it comes to impaired driving. They claimed that there was no evidence to suggest that Collins had used pot before the crash, and that the impairment their client showed at the scene was more shock from the impact of the crash and a head injury that was suffered than from any drugs.
Prosecutors have said that Collins had 3.0 nanograms per milliliter of THC in his system, while the legal limit for drivers in Nevada is 2.0 nanograms per milliliter. An officer reported that Collins’ eyes appeared to be bloodshot and watery at the time of the crash.
Last month, a Clark County grand jury declined to indict Collins on the DUI charge, while approving one count of reckless driving.
The next hearing in the case is set for July 15th. Collins is currently on house arrest.