$15 Million Wrongful Death Verdict for Family of Man Killed by Speeding Driver in Las Vegas

On a December evening in 2020, Eric Echevarria, a 52-year-old Las Vegas resident, was making a left turn near the intersection of Fort Apache Road and Furnace Gulch when his vehicle was struck by a car driven by Zaon Collins. Collins, then a standout basketball recruit at Bishop Gorman High School, was traveling at 88 mph in a posted 35-mph zone. Echevarria died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Collins was later charged criminally and in June 2023 pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving. A Clark County judge sentenced him to 90 days in jail, three years of probation, and community service. A grand jury had earlier declined to pursue a marijuana DUI charge despite blood tests showing Collins had 3.0 nanograms per milliliter of THC, above Nevada's 2.0-nanogram legal limit.

Echevarria's wife, Ann Marie, and their son filed a wrongful death civil suit against Collins and his father, who owned the vehicle. Ramzy Ladah and Joseph Chu of Ladah Law Firm represented the family at trial. They asked the jury for $35 million, plus punitive damages, arguing Collins's reckless speed was the sole cause of the collision.

At trial, Collins testified that Echevarria had cut in front of him and that he tried to brake and swerve. He told jurors he 'lost track' of his speed and 'didn't know I was going that fast.' When confronted with prior statements that shifted partial blame onto the victim, Collins acknowledged inconsistencies. The defense countered that the family's damages were worth roughly $2.9 million.

On May 20, 2025, the jury found Collins negligent and Echevarria not negligent, voting 6-2 on the latter question. No punitive damages were awarded. The jury returned a verdict of $15 million to be paid to the family. Collins's father was also held liable as the vehicle's owner under the jury instructions. Before trial, Collins's legal team sought a continuance from the Nevada Supreme Court, citing counsel's health concerns. The court denied that writ on May 5, 2025, and the trial proceeded on schedule.