LAS VEGAS, NV – A tragic incident involving a Nevada prison employee has left many unanswered questions in its wake. Miles Collins, a 38-year-old HVAC worker at the Southern Desert Correctional Center, was sent home from work on suspicion of being under the influence. Shortly thereafter, he was involved in a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 95.
Nevada State Police Trooper Mark Wilner was the first to arrive at the scene of the crash, which occurred on July 2. Collins had been ejected from his pickup truck after losing control of the vehicle. First responders desperately attempted to save him, but their efforts were in vain.
Body camera footage from Trooper Wilner, which spans more than an hour, reveals his attempts to piece together the events leading up to the crash. Witness accounts varied, with one individual suggesting Collins may have been racing, while others only witnessed the tragic final moments.
Collins had been traveling from Indian Springs back to Las Vegas after being sent home from work. Internal documents indicate that at least one employee reported Collins was slurring his speech. He was subsequently taken for a drug test before being sent on his way.
The coroner’s report later confirmed that Collins had a significant amount of drugs in his system, including MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, and THC. This revelation has prompted an internal investigation to determine who, if anyone, should be held accountable for allowing Collins to drive.
A spokesperson for the Nevada Department of Corrections stated that the responsibility for Collins’ actions would likely fall on a shift supervisor, assistant warden, or division head. The department has classified this situation as a personnel matter and has declined to comment further.
As the investigation continues, the incident raises broader concerns about workplace safety and the protocols in place for handling employees suspected of being under the influence. The tragic death of Collins underscores the need for strict adherence to safety procedures and the potential consequences of failing to do so.
The Nevada State Police and the Department of Corrections are working to ensure that such an incident does not happen again, while the community mourns the loss of a life under preventable circumstances.