LAS VEGAS — A jury has awarded $15 million to the family of a man who lost his life in a tragic vehicle collision involving former UNLV basketball recruit Zaon Collins. The decision, announced on Tuesday, comes nearly three years after the accident that took Eric Echevarria’s life on December 30, 2020.
According to police reports, Collins was allegedly traveling at nearly 90 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone at the intersection of Fort Apache and Blue Diamond roads when he struck Echevarria’s vehicle. The significant speed differential raised serious safety concerns and highlighted the potential negligence involved.
Attorney Ramzy Ladah, representing the Echevarria family, expressed relief over the jury’s decision, stating that it provided the family with a measure of justice. He emphasized that the family had endured considerable pain and did not find a sense of closure from the related criminal proceedings. “The deceased, Eric Echevarria, Sr., was an amazing person, loved by everyone he knew and everyone who he met. He will be very missed,” Ladah remarked.
In 2023, Collins accepted a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to charges of felony reckless driving resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. Initially, Collins faced charges related to driving under the influence but ultimately did not receive a DUI indictment from the grand jury.
Collins served less than 90 days in jail for his charges, a fact that has stirred feelings of frustration and injustice among members of the Echevarria family. Following the criminal case, they filed a civil lawsuit in 2021, aiming to hold Collins accountable and seek damages for their profound loss.
The jury reached its verdict after several days of testimony, which underscored the impact of the crash on Echevarria’s family and community. The financial award will likely provide some relief, although it cannot replace the loved one they have lost.
As discussions surrounding road safety persist, the tragedy serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of reckless driving, emphasizing the profound effects such actions can have on families and communities.
This article was automatically generated by OpenAI. The people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate, and any article can be requested for removal, retraction, or correction by emailing contact@publiclawlibrary.org.