Las Vegas Man Arrested in Hit-and-Run That Critically Injured Review-Journal Photographer
Sam Morris, the Review-Journal's director of photography, was struck while riding a bicycle near Fremont Street and has since been released from UMC.
A 37-year-old Las Vegas man was arrested Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in connection with a hit-and-run collision that critically injured a Las Vegas Review-Journal employee nearly a week earlier. Eric McDaniels was taken into custody by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department following the April 23 crash in the 3200 block of East St. Louis Avenue, near Fremont Street and Sahara Avenue, in which a driver struck a bicyclist and fled the scene.
Hit-and-Run Crash Near Fremont Street
The collision occurred on Thursday, April 23, at approximately 7:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of East St. Louis Avenue, an area near Fremont Street and Sahara Avenue in the downtown Las Vegas corridor. A vehicle struck a bicyclist, and the driver fled the scene without stopping, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
The cyclist was transported to a hospital following the crash. At the time of the initial report, the severity of injuries was listed as unknown by responding officers, though the victim was subsequently treated for critical injuries.
Victim Identified as Review-Journal Director of Photography
The Las Vegas Review-Journal identified the injured cyclist as Sam Morris, the newspaper's director of photography. Morris was hospitalized in critical condition following the collision, according to reports from the Review-Journal.
Morris has since been released from University Medical Center after receiving treatment for those critical injuries, according to reporting citing the Review-Journal.
Suspect Identified and Taken Into Custody
Detectives identified Eric McDaniels, 37, as the alleged driver involved in the crash. McDaniels was arrested on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, nearly one week after the collision took place.
McDaniels faces one count of duty to stop at the scene of a crash, along with several other traffic-related misdemeanors, according to LVMPD. An initial court appearance was scheduled for Thursday morning following his arrest.
What we know
- The hit-and-run collision occurred on April 23, 2026, at approximately 7:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of East St. Louis Avenue, near Fremont Street and Sahara Avenue.
- The victim, Sam Morris, is the Las Vegas Review-Journal's director of photography and was hospitalized in critical condition after being struck while riding a bicycle.
- Morris was released from UMC after being treated for his critical injuries.
- Eric McDaniels, 37, was identified as the alleged driver and arrested on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
- McDaniels faces one count of duty to stop at the scene of a crash and several other traffic-related misdemeanors.
- An initial court appearance for McDaniels was scheduled for Thursday morning following his arrest.
Why it matters
The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about hit-and-run incidents in the Las Vegas area, particularly in the downtown corridor near Fremont Street. The victim, Sam Morris, is a prominent figure at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, one of the region's most widely read news outlets. His critical injuries following the collision drew significant attention to driver accountability, and the roughly six-day gap between the crash and the arrest underscores the investigative work required by LVMPD detectives to identify and apprehend the alleged driver.
What’s next
Eric McDaniels had an initial court appearance scheduled for Thursday morning, April 30, 2026, following his arrest the previous day. He faces one count of duty to stop at the scene of a crash along with several traffic-related misdemeanors. The case will proceed through the Clark County court system as prosecutors move forward with the charges filed by LVMPD.
Frequently asked questions
Who was injured in the Las Vegas hit-and-run near Fremont Street?
The injured cyclist was Sam Morris, the Las Vegas Review-Journal's director of photography. He was hospitalized in critical condition and has since been released from UMC.
When and where did the hit-and-run crash happen?
The collision occurred on April 23, 2026, at around 7:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of East St. Louis Avenue, near Fremont Street and Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas.
Who was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run?
Eric McDaniels, 37, was identified as the alleged driver and arrested on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
What charges does Eric McDaniels face?
McDaniels faces one count of duty to stop at the scene of a crash, along with several other traffic-related misdemeanors.
When is Eric McDaniels due in court?
An initial court appearance for McDaniels was scheduled for Thursday morning, April 30, 2026, following his arrest the day before.