A Nevada State Police employee has been placed on administrative leave following a fatal crash earlier this year, according to 8 News Now Investigators.
In August, Claude Rafiki, 29, from Michigan, was sentenced to 4 to 10 years in prison for a March 23 crash on State Route 163 near Laughlin. Rafiki was driving a semi-truck on the wrong side of the road for nearly 30 seconds before colliding with motorcyclists.
The crash resulted in the deaths of Owen Hart, 22; Athena Taylor, 21; and Jeremy Gebo, 44, all from St. George, Utah. Hart and Taylor were engaged at the time.
Originally facing DUI charges, Rafiki had these charges dropped after tests showed no alcohol or drugs in his system. The charges remained because investigators believed Rafiki was impaired.
On July 19, the 8 News Now Investigators inquired whether any trooper was placed on leave after Rafiki’s arrest. The state police spokesperson requested the question be submitted through the department’s public records portal.
Major James Simpson responded on Tuesday, stating, An employee was placed on paid administrative leave after the arrest of Claude Rafiki pending an administrative investigation. He did not provide further details due to Nevada personnel law, and it was unclear if the investigation had concluded.
The State Police have not disclosed why they believed Rafiki was impaired beyond what was in the documents. Several public records requests were still pending as of Tuesday.
According to a grand jury, Rafiki was driving in the No. 1 lane, which is meant for passenger vehicles, rather than the No. 2 lane designated for semis. His dashcam footage reportedly showed him weaving for 10 minutes. Prosecutors also suggested that Rafiki falsified logbooks to make it appear as if two drivers had alternated shifts.
Although Rafiki’s medical driving certificate did not have medication restrictions, prosecutors noted he took medication for epilepsy.
As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors recommended a 4-to-10-year prison sentence, which was the maximum allowed under the deal. Victim’s families were involved in the negotiations.
In a similar case in 2020, troopers did not suspect impairment in a truck driver who had killed five cyclists. Later, a blood test revealed a methamphetamine level typically found in deceased individuals.
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