LAS VEGAS — A wrongful death civil trial began its deliberations Monday, focusing on the actions of former Bishop Gorman basketball star Zaon Collins, who was involved in a fatal car accident. Plaintiffs in the case seek a $35 million award plus punitive damages in connection with the 2020 collision that claimed the life of 52-year-old Eric Echevarria.
At the heart of the trial, Echevarria’s family, represented by attorneys Joseph Chu and Ramzy Ladah, contends that Collins was wholly responsible for the accident that resulted in Echevarria’s death. In 2023, Collins, now a junior at Fresno State and previously a prominent UNLV recruit, was sentenced to three months in jail and three years of probation after pleading guilty to charges of reckless driving resulting in death and vehicular manslaughter. He served 56 days of his sentence.
The lawsuit, filed in 2021, accuses Collins of wrongful death and negligence. In closing arguments, Chu urged jurors to consider the profound impact of the tragedy, questioning the appropriate compensation for a widow who said goodbye to her husband only to find him deceased and disfigured hours later. He emphasized the catastrophic nature of the crash while presenting visual evidence of the wreckage and Echevarria’s injuries.
In response, Collins’ attorney, Stephanie Zinna, characterized the case as one of human error on both sides. She stressed that the jury’s role is not to deliver a moral verdict but rather to determine fair compensation for the Echevarria family.
The jury began their deliberations late Monday afternoon, spending less than 40 minutes before calling it a day, with plans to resume discussions on Tuesday.
The incident is alleged to have involved Collins driving at 88 mph in a 35 mph zone shortly before the fatal crash. During testimony, Collins asserted that Echevarria turned directly in front of him. However, Ladah countered that Echevarria could not have been at fault because Collins was speeding excessively and that the vehicle turning left should not have been held liable.
Zinna argued that both drivers made mistakes and questioned whether the community should act out of vengeance or fairness. She maintained that Echevarria assumed Collins was obeying speed limits, while Collins expected Echevarria to yield.
Echevarria’s family is also suing Collins’ father, Marvin Collins, who may be held financially responsible due to his son’s conduct. Attorney Bradley Johnson, who represents the elder Collins, contended that his son could not be deemed more than 49 percent responsible.
Complicating the case, prosecutors indicated Collins had THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in his system above the legal limit at the time of the crash. Expert testimony suggested recent usage, although Zinna contended that her client exhibited no obvious impairment beyond minor red eye irritation post-accident. She highlighted that a grand jury had already declined to pursue DUI charges against Collins.
The jury’s ultimate decision will hinge on its assessment of responsibility and the appropriate level of damages for the family left mourning Echevarria.
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