Two killed in traffic accidents

Karen Zekan

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1997 | 11:11 a.m.

Two people were killed in auto-related accidents Tuesday, among them a 67-year-old Las Vegas woman crossing Charleston Boulevard.

The woman, whose name has been withheld until family can be notified, was crossing Charleston at 27th Street from the south curb to the north curb when she was hit at 12:17 p.m. by a 1986 Chevrolet El Camino, Metro Police said.

The woman died instantly after being carried several yards on the hood of the eastbound car driven by Robert N. Bassford, 52, of Las Vegas.

Bassford and passenger Stevie Misler, 12, escaped injury. Police said neither Bassford nor Misler were wearing their seat belts.

Investigators said the woman was struck while in the left travel lane on eastbound Charleston when she was hit. Witnesses told police that the woman was not in the crosswalk -- statements which Sgt. Curt Albert said investigators will be considering in addition to the evidence at the scene in the ongoing investigation.

The woman's death marked the 119th traffic-related fatality this year, and the 22nd this month, in Metro's jurisdiction.

Henderson Police are also continuing their investigation into a 12:25 p.m. auto-related fatality that happened on Boulder Highway, just north of Palo Verde Drive.

Lt. R. J. Delia said the unidentified male driver of a 1991 Honda sedan had been southbound on Boulder Highway about to turn left into the Smith's market parking lot when the Honda's passenger side door was struck by a 1994 Kawasaki motorcycle.

The Honda's passenger, identified only as a 70-year-old Boulder City resident, was killed on impact. The Honda's driver was transported to University Medical Center with a broken clavicle, ribs and a closed head injury. The 24-year-old Henderson motorcyclist was also taken to UMC with a closed head injury and multiple fractures. Their conditions were not available.

Witnesses told police that the motorcyclist was traveling at a high rate of speed when the vehicles collided.