LAS VEGAS, Nevada, March 15, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — A Salt Lake City man died in a car crash near Las Vegas in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Samuela Tupola, 23, a student from Dixie State University, was traveling with two of his cousins and two friends northbound on Interstate 15 near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, on their way back to Utah, when a sedan traveling south in the northbound lanes hit their vehicle head-on, according to Nevada Highway Patrol.
A semi then struck the car again, officials said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with medical and funeral expenses.
The GoFundMe page says: “In the early morning of March 13, 2021, Samuela Maluamaka Tupola, his cousin and friends were driving home from Las Vegas. As they were passing the Speedway going northbound, a driver was driving the wrong way on the freeway, heading straight into their car. They were hit head on, and shortly after a semi behind them couldn’t stop and hit their car as well.
“This tragedy unfortunately and prematurely took Samuela’s young life. He completed his life on this earth the next day, March 14, surrounded by family and love.
“He was just 23 years old, living his life to the fullest, being an advocate for justice for racial inequality as well as thriving at Dixie State University. To say he will be missed is a tremendous understatement.
“He did not have life or medical insurance, leaving his family behind with funeral expenses and excessive medical bills.”
The four other occupants in the vehicle were transported to an area hospital; their conditions are unknown.
