(Las Vegas, NV) A 1st Street DUI crash caused by Kevin Vo, 45, resulted in the death of Matthew Bowen, 56, in Las Vegas.
On Friday, August 8, the 1st Street DUIcrash occurred. According to the Metro Police, it happened on the west side of 1st Street, near Circa Resort and Casino.
When police investigated, they learned Kevin Vo, an Uber driver, parked on the side of the street of 1st Street. According to an interview with authorities, an unknown man threatened to kill Vo. When officers spoke with Vo, he stated the man attempted to enter his car. He tried to leave, and while reversing, he struck Matthew Bowen, who walked behind the car.
After running over Bowen, Vo drove forward to get the car off of him, only to then collide with the building in front of him. He stepped outside of the vehicle and checked on Bowen when a crowd began to gather. When officers arrived, they performed a sobriety test on Vo, determining him to be impaired. Police charged Kevin Vo for DUI resulting in the death of Matthew Bowen.
Legal Opinion of the 1st Street DUI Crash
The 1st Street DUI crash that killed Matthew Bowen involves a serious traffic offense in Nevada: DUI resulting in death. Under NRS 484C.430, it is a Category A felony to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As a result, this caused the death of another person. A conviction carries a potential life sentence with parole eligibility after 20 to 25 years and fines up to $10,000.
Kevin Vo’s account describes a chaotic situation involving a threat and a potential defensive maneuver. Regardless, Nevada law does not excuse impaired driving, even if the driver faced an immediate threat. The fact that Metro Police confirmed a DUI means prosecutors will likely focus on his impaired state as the primary cause of Bowen’s death.
Under Nevada’s wrongful death statute, NRS 41.085, Matthew Bowen’s family can file a claim for funeral expenses, loss of support, companionship, and grief. Because DUI is considered grossly negligent conduct, punitive damages under NRS 42.010 are likely available. This allows the family to seek additional monetary punishment beyond compensatory damages.
Vo’s status as an Uber driver could bring Uber and its insurer into the case. If he was logged into the Uber app at the time, Nevada law and Uber’s own insurance policies may provide significant coverage for wrongful death claims. However, intoxication could complicate coverage, depending on policy exclusions. The details of whether this was a “personal” or “commercial” trip will matter for insurance recovery.
What the Family Can Do
Bowen’s family should hire a wrongful death attorney in Nevada immediately. The attorney can obtain the full police report, DUI test results, and any available security footage. Witness statements will be critical, especially to clarify the sequence of events during the threat, reverse, and forward movements of Vo’s car. The family’s lawyer can also send preservation letters to Uber to secure trip records, driver activity logs, and insurance information. Since DUI fatalities in Nevada often lead to both criminal prosecution and civil litigation, working closely with the Clark County District Attorney’s office can help align the criminal case with the civil wrongful death claim. Acting quickly will preserve evidence, ensure maximum recovery, and hold all responsible parties fully accountable for this preventable tragedy.
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of the victim. We know this is a difficult time as you mourn the tragic and sudden loss of a loved one. If you have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this horrible incident, call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
