The Theft Ignites a High-Speed Pursuit (Image Credits: Pixabay)
Las Vegas – A motorcyclist died in a collision with a stolen Salvation Army bus that barreled through the city at high speeds before running a red light.[1][2]
The Theft Ignites a High-Speed Pursuit
On January 21, 2026, around 6:30 p.m., a Salvation Army bus sat outside the organization’s facility at 211 West Judson Avenue in North Las Vegas. The vehicle held the keys as staff prepared to transport residents to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting following chapel service.[3]
Jalen Allen Felton, a 24-year-old voluntary resident at the center, seized the opportunity. He entered the bus with another member aboard and sped away. North Las Vegas police responded quickly to reports of the theft and initiated a pursuit near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Lake Mead Boulevard.[2]
Officers soon learned the passenger had been released safely, prompting them to terminate the ground chase. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s air unit took over surveillance as the bus weaved recklessly across the valley, reaching speeds of 80 mph and suffering a tire failure that sent sparks flying.[4][5]
Fatal Crash Shuts Down Key Intersection
The pursuit spanned about 25 minutes and covered roughly 25 miles. Near 7:15 p.m., the bus approached the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and Grand Canyon Drive in west Las Vegas. Felton ran a red light and struck the motorcyclist, who succumbed to injuries at the scene.[3]
Metro police closed the area for investigation, with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s fatal crash unit leading the probe. Felton fled on foot but officers apprehended him nearby.[6]
Signs of impairment appeared evident, and Felton later admitted to consuming alcohol beforehand, according to the arrest report.[4]
Suspect Faces Stringent Charges
Authorities booked Felton into Clark County jail. He confronts charges across two jurisdictions – North Las Vegas and Las Vegas – including DUI resulting in death, reckless driving resulting in death, hit-and-run, second-degree kidnapping, grand larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, disobeying an officer, making false statements, and resisting arrest.[7][8]
- DUI resulting in death
- Reckless driving resulting in death
- Hit-and-run involving death
- Second-degree kidnapping
- Grand larceny of a motor vehicle
- Possession of stolen vehicle
- Obstructing or resisting officer
Felton appeared in court the following day, where a judge ordered him held without bail due to public safety concerns. His next hearing occurred on January 27.[3]
Records show prior misdemeanor convictions, including a recent suspended sentence for domestic battery.
Family Steps Forward as Investigation Continues
The victim’s relatives recently addressed the media, expressing profound sorrow over the sudden loss. Their statements highlighted the devastation inflicted by the reckless actions that night.[9]
Eric Foster, a Salvation Army member at the facility, recounted the moments leading to the theft. “The guy in question, Jalen, runs out of the back door of the Salvation Army gate and around to the parking lot where the bus was and he gets in and takes off with the guy in it,” Foster said.[3]
| Key Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| 6:30 p.m. | Bus stolen in North Las Vegas |
| ~7:00 p.m. | Pursuit begins, passenger released |
| 7:15 p.m. | Fatal crash at Tropicana and Grand Canyon |
| Jan. 22 | Suspect in court |
Key Takeaways:
- A stolen bus chase exposed vulnerabilities in vehicle security at rehabilitation facilities.
- Motorcyclists remain at high risk in urban collisions with larger vehicles.
- Impaired driving continues to claim lives despite enforcement efforts.
This incident underscores the perils of impaired and stolen vehicle operation on busy roads. Authorities urge drivers to prioritize safety. What are your thoughts on enhancing security at such centers? Share in the comments.
