LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Authorities identified Monday two men killed in a single-vehicle wreck in northwest Las Vegas.
Blake James Shirley, 21, and Tyler Ray Watts, 19, died in the rollover accident that took place early Sunday morning, the Clark County Coroner's office released.
According to Las Vegas Metro police, Shirley was behind the wheel of a 2006 Nissan 350Z when it crashed on W. Centennial Center Boulevard near N. Grand Montecito Parkway just after 6:30 a.m.
Detectives said the Nissan, which also carried Watts and 22-year-old Jennifer Schneider, may have been racing a black sports car when it lost control and slid sideways toward a center raised median.
The vehicle's right side collided with a palm tree causing it to rollover on its roof, according to police.
Police said Shirley and Watts, who was the front seat passenger, were pronounced dead at the scene. Schneider, who police said was a passenger in the back seat area, was transported to University Medical Center with critical injuries.
"The streets in Las Vegas are not designed to be racetracks. We have race tracks for that here in Southern Nevada and we have great race tracks. Street racing is a problem," said Las Vegas councilman Steve Ross.
"He (Shirley) never was speeding when I was in the car with him. We never went far with him because he always kept his speed limit because he didn't want any heat from police. When I hear the news I was very amazed," added Robert Almes, Blake's neighbor.
This is the 76th and 77th traffic related fatality in Metro's jurisdiction this year.
Investigators said speed may have been a factor in the collision. They also were seeking information on the second vehicle that may have been involved in the crash.
Police urge anyone with information on the accident to call Metro's Fatal Detail at 702-828-8189 or Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
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