Las Vegas DUI driver found asleep before 2nd DUI driver killed 2 troopers to serve 10 days in jail
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The driver — whom two Nevada state troopers were investigating before a second alleged impaired driver hit and killed them — agreed to serve 10 days in jail and pay a fine as part of a plea agreement, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.
Police found Guillermo Pacheco, 33, asleep at the wheel of a Jeep on an Interstate 15 offramp minutes after Jemarcus Williams, 46, allegedly drove impaired and collided with Sgt. Michael Abbate and Trooper Alberto Felix on Nov. 30, 2023.
Officers later found Pacheco asleep at the wheel with an open can of beer in the car, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained last year.
Pacheco, who told police he was coming home from a party at Planet Hollywood, faced a misdemeanor DUI charge. Documents reveal he pleaded no contest Tuesday in Las Vegas Municipal Court.
As part of the agreement, a judge ordered Pacheco to pay a $910 fine, complete DUI school, and serve 10 days in city jail, documents said. Pacheco would be allowed to “serve during the weekends,” the agreement said.
In addition, the judge said Pacheco must complete an alcohol evaluation, wear an alcohol monitor for 90 days and abstain from alcohol and drugs, documents said. If Pacheco fails to stay out of trouble for 18 months, he will be sent to jail for six months.
Abbate and Felix responded to a call for the sleeping driver on the D Street exit at 3:23 a.m. The crash happened a minute later as the two men were outside of their cruisers to the left side of the parked vehicle, Metro police said in the documents the 8 News Now Investigators received.
Minutes later, two Las Vegas Metro police officers responded to the crash site, finding Pacheco unharmed and asleep in the driver’s seat with the ignition running, documents said.
A third NHP officer who also responded “had to wake up [Pacheco] to get him out of the vehicle” following the collision involving Abbate and Felix, documents said. Police said they found an open 24-ounce can of beer in the car’s center console as well as a second can sitting on a floorboard, documents said.
Williams had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit several hours after the crash that killed the two men, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported. At 3:15 a.m., video shows a highly intoxicated Williams leaving the Palms casino with security officers, prosecutors said. Williams then hid behind a tree and, six minutes later, got into the car.
Williams faces two felony counts each of DUI resulting in death, reckless driving resulting in death, and failing to stop at the scene of a crash. He also was charged with three traffic-related misdemeanors.
During his first court appearance, a judge set Williams’ bail at $500,000. Should he post bail, he must wear an ankle monitor with GPS and alcohol monitoring. His next court date was scheduled for April 2. His court record indicated his preliminary hearing was delayed several times pending a “possible resolution.”
Pacheco’s sentencing was scheduled for May 13.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
