Woman, 78, critically injured in crash

Monday, Jan. 12, 1998 | 10:45 a.m.

An elderly Las Vegas woman suffered life-threatening injuries Sunday when her new car was struck seconds after attempting a left turn in an eastern Las Vegas intersection.

Sophia Afetian, 78, had only 517 miles on her 1997 Mercury Tracer when tragedy struck at 11:33 a.m., said Metro Police Sgt. Phil Galvan.

Afetian had been northbound on Nellis Boulevard and was turning west onto Vegas Valley when her passenger side door was hit so hard by a 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that the Monte Carlo's front bumper became embedded in the Tracer, police said.

Both drivers had green lights at the time, Galvan said, but Afetian apparently failed to yield the right of way to the oncoming Monte Carlo. Police were not sure if Afetian saw the Monte Carlo or perhaps misjudged its distance and speed.

Afetian was transported to University Medical Center and listed in critical condition Sunday afternoon. Also treated at UMC were Sandra Espinoza, 26, of Las Vegas, the Monte Carlo's driver, for moderate injuries and passenger Jose Espinoza, 21, of Las Vegas, for minor injuries.

archive