Truck Driver Who Ran Over Bicyclists In Nevada Had Methamphetamine Traces Found In His System

The driver of a box truck that ran over and killed five bicyclists is facing more charges. Jordan Alexander Barson, 45, of Kingman Arizona told investigators that he fell asleep behind the wheel at the time. Further, it was found that he had high levels of methamphetamine.

Thus, Baron is now facing 12 felony charges including driving under the influence and reckless driving. The incident happened on Dec. 10 on U.S. 95 between Boulder City and Searchlight, Nevada, the Associated Press reported.

“Choices have consequences,” Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said after a Las Vegas judge issued a warrant for Barson’s arrest. “We all make decisions every day,” Wolfson said. “This was a choice the defendant made to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.”

Barson was apprehended Wednesday and is now at the Mohave County Jail in Kingman. He will be extradited to Nevada and is facing serious multiple charges that could put him in prison for decades. As of this writing, records show that he has no legal representation.

Per reports, Barson was driving his regular work route between Las Vegas, the Colorado River town of Bullhead City, Arizona and Kingman when he fell asleep.

Results from blood tests administered showed that the 45-year-old truck driver had nine times an allowable amount of methamphetamine in his system.

Barson plowed at least seven bicyclists trailing a Subaru Outback support vehicle with roughly 20 other cyclists who were making their annual 130-mile ride from Las Vegas through the scenic desert in Nevada and California.

Two of the injured were taken to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. The driver of the Subaru, identified as David Merrill, was also injured. Another bicyclist was treated for minor injuries.

The fatalities were identified as Erin Michelle Ray, 39, Gerrard Suarez Nieva, 41, Michael Todd Murray, 57, Aksoy Ahmet, 48, and Thomas Chamberlin Trauger, 57.