A Las Vegas family’s world was turned upside down last month in a harrowing case of mistaken identity following a hit-and-run crash.
Esther Acosta spent a day mourning her husband’s supposed death before learning he was actually alive in a nearby hospital.
On September 15, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) reported that a pedestrian had been struck in a hit-and-run incident and rushed to a trauma center. Two days later, police announced the victim had died and identified him as Brandon Green, 37.
Acosta described the devastating impact of the news. “It’s like I had been hit, you know like I was just in complete shock. It was unbelievable. I just couldn’t believe it,” she told local media.
The grieving wife began planning a new life for herself and the couple’s two daughters without their father. However, just one day after receiving the tragic news, Acosta’s world shifted again when Las Vegas police released an update.
The LVMPD statement revealed that the Clark County Coroner’s Office had made an error in identifying the victim. “Mr. Green has not succumbed to his injuries and is still receiving medical treatment at UMC [University Medical Center]. He remains in critical condition,” the press release stated.
Acosta struggled to process the rapid turn of events. “How can someone mistakenly be dead? Did my husband’s heart stop?” she questioned.
While the news that Green was alive brought immense relief, the family now faced a different challenge. Green had suffered severe injuries in the crash, including brain bleeding, blood clots, and fractures. According to an online fundraiser created on October 16, Green was released from intensive care after one month but is expected to remain hospitalized for at least another three months.
Acosta and her daughters, Selah and Hope, have been visiting Green daily at the hospital as he continues his recovery. The family is navigating the emotional trauma of the ordeal with support from relatives, friends, and the community.
Meanwhile, the search for the hit-and-run driver responsible for Green’s injuries continues. Las Vegas police have narrowed down the suspect vehicle to a white Acura TSX, likely a model from 2011-2014. The car is believed to have sustained damage to its windshield, grill, and bumper during the incident.
Authorities have yet to identify a license plate or suspect. Acosta expressed frustration at the lack of progress in finding the person responsible. “You should be frightened with living knowing you did that for the rest of your life and not saying anything, you should be frightened about that, not about the consequences. The consequences are the least of it,” she said.
The LVMPD is actively pursuing the investigation and has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Neither the police department nor the Clark County Coroner’s Office responded to requests for comment on the misidentification that led to the mistaken death notification.
For now, Acosta and her daughters are grateful for the second chance they’ve been given with Green. As they rally around him during his extended hospital stay, they remain hopeful for his full recovery while also seeking closure through the identification and apprehension of the hit-and-run driver.