Truck driver’s medical clearance expired day after triple-fatal crash outside Las Vegas

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Video the 8 News Now Investigators obtained shows a truck driver on the wrong side of the road for nearly half a minute before colliding with a group of motorcyclists, killing three – in a crash state police once believed involved impairment but appears not to at all.

Claude Rafiki, 29, had a valid commercial driver’s license out of Michigan at the time of the March 23 crash, but his two-year medical certification was due to expire March 24 — the day after the crash, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Tuesday. Drivers in Michigan are required to submit an updated medical clearance before the expiration date, officials with the Michigan Secretary of State’s office confirmed. Because he did not submit updated medical certificate information, Rafiki’s license was downgraded and his CDL has not been valid as of March 24.

 

Rafiki faces three charges of reckless driving resulting in death for the crash on State Route 163 near Laughlin. A witness said Rafiki crossed over the highway’s centerline, crashing into two motorcycles, killing its two drivers and one passenger.

 

Police initially arrested Rafiki on three charges of DUI resulting in death. Investigators later determined there was no evidence Rafiki was impaired.

The crash killed Owen Hart, 22; Athena Faye Taylor, 21; and Jeremy Gebo, 44, all of St. George, Utah, the coroner’s office said. The group was riding from St. George and headed to Laughlin at the time of the crash.

Prosecutors submitted the dashcam video from Rafiki’s truck into evidence as part of the criminal case against him. The recording is correlated with the truck’s engine – starting and stopping when the truck starts and stops and unable to be manipulated, a safety manager for Pan American Cargo said.

 

Rafiki was driving in the No. 1 travel lane – the one closest to the centerline – and not in the No. 2 lane as required for semis, a trooper testified. Rafiki then allegedly drove on the wrong side of the road for 25 seconds, documents said.

Cory Beard, the leader of the group of eight bikes riding to Laughlin, said he barely missed getting hit. Those involved in the crash had viewed the dashcam video before the grand jury proceeding, documents indicated.

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