An adult woman was critically injured after she was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 15 near Jean Tuesday afternoon, according to the Nevada State Police Highway Patrol.
The pedestrian was hit at approximately 12:11 p.m. on the northbound side of I-15 near mile marker 12, authorities said. The crash occurred on the interstate in the area of Jean as traffic was traveling toward Las Vegas.
Emergency crews responded to the scene, and the woman’s injuries were considered critical. A medical helicopter was called to transport her to a local hospital for emergency treatment.
The northbound lanes of I-15 were temporarily closed to allow the helicopter to land and to give emergency personnel room to treat the injured pedestrian and investigate the collision.
According to Trooper Shawn Haggstrom of the Nevada State Police Highway Patrol, motorists were directed to exit at State Route 161 while the northbound lanes remained closed.
The closure resulted in several miles of traffic backup along the interstate as drivers waited for the roadway to reopen.
Authorities later confirmed that all northbound lanes had reopened after the emergency response and initial investigation at the scene were completed.
The circumstances leading to the collision remain under investigation. Police have not released additional information about the vehicle involved or explained why the pedestrian was on the interstate at the time of the crash.
Investigators are continuing to examine the incident as they work to determine what happened and how the woman came to be struck.
The crash serves as another reminder of the serious dangers faced by pedestrians on high-speed interstate highways, where vehicles are traveling at speeds that can leave little time for drivers to react to unexpected hazards.
Further information may be released as the Nevada State Police Highway Patrol continues its investigation.
