New Dad Hospitalized with Brain Bleed After Hit-and-Run Collision By Charlotte Phillipp

Police in Las Vegas are investigating a hit-and-run that left a new father hospitalized with a brain bleed.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the “life-threatening” car crash happened on Monday, Jan. 12, at around 5:15 p.m. local time.

Police said a white SUV, “possibly a 2020-2022 White Kia Sportage or similar vehicle,” collided with a man on a motorcycle — later identified as Matias Lagarreta by family members — at the intersection of Marion Drive and Lake Mead Boulevard.

Lagarreta was ejected from his motorcycle in the collision, police said. The driver of the white SUV — which may have damage to its right side, according to investigators — then took off, leaving him in the street.

A GoFundMe organized on behalf of Lagarreta’s family states that he was quickly rushed to University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, including a brain bleed and bruised lungs. He was later placed in the ICU in a medically induced coma.

Speaking to FOX 5 Vegas, Lagarreta’s wife, Ashley, shared that her husband often took out his motorcycle for errands — and on the day of the collision, they were set to go out together when she opted to stay home at the last minute.

“We were gonna run our errands together, but he said, ‘No, it’s OK. I’ll go on the motorcycle,’ ” she recalled.

The couple welcomed their first baby together, a girl, on Dec. 15, 2025.

Recounting the moments before she learned about the collision, Ashley said that her husband’s cousin texted her to ask about his whereabouts.

FOX 5 reported that Lagarreta woke up from his coma on Thursday, Jan. 15.

“I was able to tell him I love him, and he was able to say it back,” Ashley said through tears.

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The new mom shared that she hopes the driver of the white SUV eventually comes forward.

“It’s scary to think that I could lose the father of my child,” she told the outlet. “If you were scared, and that was the case, admit you were scared.”

Police are now asking for the public’s assistance in locating the white SUV.

“If you witnessed this crash, have dash-cam footage, doorbell video, or recognize the vehicle, please contact police immediately at 702-828-3595, or Crime Stoppers of Nevada, Inc. at 702-385-5555,”
the LVMPD said.