LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A police sergeant killed when a drunk driver collided with him and one other state trooper on the facet of a Las Vegas freeway stopped the identical driver months earlier, issuing him a ticket for expired license plates.
The 8 Information Now Investigators found the coincidence as a part of an investigation into the deaths of Sgt. Michael Abbate and Trooper Alberto Felix. In November 2023, Jemarcus Williams, 47, hit and killed the 2 state policemen as they investigated a second intoxicated driver on an Interstate 15 offramp.
The 8 Information Now Investigators discovered Williams repeatedly bought bottles of alcohol and different drinks within the hours earlier than the crash and that no investigation into these gross sales nor a change in legislation had occurred within the 15 months since.
The double-fatal crash occurred on Nov. 30, 2023. On Might 11, 2023, Abbate stopped Williams for driving with expired license plates. Police investigating the troopers’ deaths initially reviewed video of the Might 2023 site visitors cease to see if Williams might have had any animosity towards police. They decided he didn’t.
Sgt. Michael Abbate ticketed Jemarcus Williams on Might 11, 2023. (KLAS)
Throughout the site visitors cease on Sahara Avenue close to Las Vegas Boulevard, Williams was driving the identical automotive that will turn into a lethal weapon months later. The automobile was registered to his mom, paperwork stated.
“How’s it going?” Abbate asks Williams as he approaches Williams’ driver-side window. “Reason for the stop is your plates. They expired in December. Are you aware of that?”
The registration on Williams’ automotive expired the earlier December.
“Nevada’s a zero grace period state so I’m supposed to tow any unregistered car,” Abbate tells Williams in the course of the cease. “I’m not going to do that, but that’s what you’re looking at if you run into someone not as nice as me. They’re going to tow your car.”
Abbate cited Williams for the infraction, telling him to go to the Division of Motor Autos.
The whole encounter lasted about 10 minutes.
“You have a safe day, OK?” Abbate stated to Williams earlier than ending the cease. Williams later paid the fines linked with the quotation, courtroom information stated.
Williams was one yr into his minimal 16-year sentence for killing the 2 policemen. Information present he was serving the sentence at a minimum-security camp the place offenders be taught to turn into firefighters.
Nevada leaders renamed a part of Interstate 15 in honor of Abbate and Felix. The Injured Police Officer’s Fund continues to assist their households. Donations might be made by way of this hyperlink.
