3 dead, several hurt in Vegas gun battle, crash

Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 21, 2013

LAS VEGAS (AP) Three people were killed and at least three injured in a gun battle between moving vehicles that ultimately crashed at a busy intersection on the Las Vegas Strip, police said.
Five vehicles were involved in the crash, including a taxi that burst into flames and killed two people around 4:30 a.m. Thursday at Flamingo and Las Vegas boulevards, said Sgt. John Sheahan.
People in a Maserati and an SUV were exchanging gunfire before the Maserati hit the taxi, he said.
The Maserati driver, the taxi driver and a taxi passenger were killed.
Three other vehicles were involved in the wreck, but Sheahan said the SUV was gone when police arrived.
At least three people were hospitalized, including a passenger from the Maserati.
A tourist who witnessed the aftermath of the crash told KLAS-TV the burning taxi looked like a fireball.
More people may be hurt, Sheahan said.
It’s the latest in a series of violent actions on the tourist corridor since the beginning of the year. Two people were critically wounded in a shooting at a parking garage Feb. 6, and a tourist was stabbed in an elevator at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay Feb. 16.