Metro lieutenant arrested in rollover DUI crash near California state line

Metropolitan Police Department Lieutenant Joseph Elvin Winn Jr. was arrested by the Nevada Highway Patrol after a rollover crash on July 1 near the California state line. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on an unimproved desert road adjacent to Interstate‑15, southbound of Jean, when Winn lost control of his wife’s Cadillac, which rolled onto its roof. According to the patrol report, troopers discovered the white Cadillac inverted and found Winn shirtless, shoeless, and upside down in the driver’s seat. The vehicle bore an expired California license plate and a tinted screen covering the windshield. When questioned about the crash, Winn said he recalled striking a bump. He stated he resided in Henderson and was driving his wife’s automobile to a location at the state line, adding that he “wanted to take a side road” when the trooper asked why he had not simply gone to Henderson to obtain the necessary state documentation. Winn told the trooper he had consumed no alcohol or medication prior to driving and denied being a habitual drinker. When asked when he last drank, he replied, “I don’t drink like that, no.” After the trooper repeated the question, Winn said he could not remember. The trooper noted that Winn answered questions with his eyes closed. After being instructed to open his eyes, the officer observed bloodshot, watery eyes and detected an odor described as “an unknown intoxicating beverage emanating from his mouth.” Winn’s speech was slow and slurred. When asked if he was on a joyride, Winn “repeated ‘joyride’ with what I understood to be a code of confusion,” according to the trooper’s narrative. Following transport to University Medical Center for a fractured spine, Winn attempted standard field sobriety tests. Despite his neck brace, he struggled to follow the trooper’s finger movements as instructed. Two blood samples taken from Winn showed blood‑alcohol concentrations above the legal limit. He faces two misdemeanor charges—driving under the influence and operating an unregistered vehicle—as reflected in Goodsprings Justice Court records. A Metro Department spokesperson conveyed in an email that “Lt. Winn is presently an progressive employee” when asked about his employment status on Wednesday. Winn’s misdemeanor arraignment is scheduled for September 29, per online court records.