Goldfield tow truck driver gunned down on US 95
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A several-hour closure of U.S. 95 south of Goldfield, Nevada on Thursday was due to the deadly shooting of a tow truck driver who responded to a service call.
Police search for armed suspect following deadly shooting south of Goldfield
According to Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill, the sheriff’s office in the neighboring county of Esmeralda received a report of a shooting around 3 a.m. and contacted Nye County for assistance. Deputies from Pahrump and Tonapah responded.
When deputies arrived at the scene they found a man, later identified as tow truck driver Derek Cornell, dead on the side of U.S. 95 about five miles south of Goldfield.
McGill said another tow truck driver was at the scene and had called in the shooting. That driver had minor injuries from broken glass. McGill said the preliminary investigation showed Cornell was shot by an unknown person with a rifle who fled on foot and was believed to possibly have other firearms. He said the freeway was closed for public safety.
A GoFundMe account that was set up for Cornell’s family describes him as a “loving husband, father, brother, son and uncle and friend to many. Derek devoted his life to his family, towing, and the Goldfield Volunteer Fire Department.”
More than seven hours after the reported shooting, the suspect was taken into custody around 10:45 a.m.
Goldfield is about 185 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
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