Las Vegas is reeling from a deadly Christmas morning crash that claimed the life of Gonzalo Perez-Banuelos Sr. The tragedy unfolded on Maryland Parkway, south of Sahara Avenue, when a speeding Dodge Journey collided with a Chevrolet Equinox, causing the latter to flip onto its roof.
The driver of the Dodge Journey, 20-year-old Giraldo Salas-Chacon, is facing charges of DUI and reckless driving resulting in death. Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage revealed the Dodge was traveling at a dangerously high speed—police reports indicate the speedometer was frozen at 95 mph post-collision, with estimates suggesting speeds may have reached 105 mph. This occurred in a 30-mph zone.
Witnesses described the crash as catastrophic, with one person ejected from the Equinox suffering “unsurvivable injuries.” The victim, identified as Perez-Banuelos Sr., was one of six passengers in the Equinox. The crash has left the community mourning the loss of a beloved father and neighbor.
Salas-Chacon, reportedly showing signs of intoxication, refused field sobriety tests at the scene. Police noted his slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the smell of alcohol. Two blood draws were performed, though the results are pending.
The gravity of the crash has reignited conversations about the consequences of impaired and reckless driving. “This was preventable,” said a local advocate for road safety.
Salas-Chacon remains in custody at the Clark County Detention Center and is scheduled for a court appearance on Jan. 6, 2025. As the investigation continues, the community reflects on the devastating impact of the crash and calls for stricter measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible driving, especially during the holiday season.
