Nevada State Troopers’ Deaths on Highway Lead to Guilty Plea

Posted on: April 30, 2024, 07:42h. 

Last updated on: May 1, 2024, 09:47h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A defendant charged in the deaths of two Nevada state troopers on Interstate 15 in Las Vegas last November entered a guilty plea in court on Tuesday.

Jemarcus Williams
Jemarcus Williams, pictured above in a courtroom last year, pleaded guilty this week to a crash that killed two Nevada state troopers. (Image: Las Vegas Sun)

Jemarcus Williams, 46, entered the plea to two counts of DUI resulting in death before Clark County District Court Judge Susan Johnson.

When he’s sentenced on June 11, he faces between two and 20 years behind bars for each count, according to a plea deal. He also must pay $5K to the victims’ families.

Williams’ driver’s license isn’t currently in effect. If it goes back in place, he must put a breathalyzer in his vehicle for between one and three years.

Williams fled the accident scene after the crash, but his parked vehicle soon was located by officers at a Las Vegas apartment complex near J Street and Monroe Avenue, according to Las Vegas TV station KSNV. He was apprehended nearby.

Drinking at Palms

It later was revealed by police that Williams had been drinking at the Palms Casino in the hours before the crash.

Security guards there admonished him not to drive his vehicle due to his intoxication. They told him if he got into his car, they would contact local police. When guards left the area, he entered his car and drove away.

The crash killed Nevada State Police (NSP) Sgt. Michael Abbate and Trooper Alberto Felix on Nov. 30, 2023.

One trooper died at the crash site. The other was declared dead at University Medical Center.

The troopers were struck after they stopped on the side of the highway to check out a motorist who was asleep in his car.

Williams was initially charged with two counts each of reckless driving resulting in death, driving under the influence resulting in death, and duty to stop at the scene of an accident involving death. The counts were changed as a result of the plea bargain.

Abbate joined the NSP in December 2013 and was promoted to sergeant shortly before his death, according to Fox News. Felix joined the NSP in January 2019 after previously serving in the US Air Force.

Both were believed to have been survived by children and other family members.

Upon the deaths, the Nevada NSP issued a statement. It said, “Sergeant Abbate and Trooper Felix dedicated their careers to serving the State of Nevada with exceptional commitment and pride. The Nevada State Police extends its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of our fallen heroes.”