Two killed in crash identified

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998 | 10:53 a.m.

Two young Las Vegas men killed Saturday in a single-car rollover in Lee Canyon have been identified as Roderick Cradit III, 14, and Tony Torsiello, 23.

Cradit and Torsiello were with friends on their way down the mountain from playing war with paint ball guns when driver Erik Swanson, 16, of Las Vegas veered the Chevrolet Suburban to the left, over-corrected and began spinning to the right when the car went off State Route 156 and flipped at least five times, said Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman Trooper Scott Flabi.

Swanson told authorities that he had been traveling about 85 mph down the two-lane road posted with a 55 mph speed limit when he swerved trying to avoid an animal, Flabi said.

The driver and his brother in the back seat, Karl Swanson, 14, were the only ones who authorities said were wearing seat belts. Karl was treated and released for his injuries; Erik remained at University Medical Center Tuesday in fair condition.

Derek Rains, 13, of Las Vegas, was taken by Flight for Life helicopter with Torsiello, who died before reaching UMC. Rains has since been released from the hospital.

Seat belts and speed were identified as factors in the fatal crash.

"This is another example of the tragic consequences that can occur from not wearing seat belts," Flabi said. "There were so many terrible and deadly accidents in August, and the passengers who faired the best were the ones wearing seat belts."