Drag racing not cause of wreck that killed family, police say

Monday, Aug. 2, 1999 | 8:53 a.m.

North Las Vegas Police Officer Phil Hicks said initial reports that Saturday's accident occurred when two vehicles were drag racing were incorrect.

"It was just kids driving stupid, clowning around," he said.

A total of eight people in three cars were involved in the wreck, east of the Texas Station hotel-casino.

According to police reports, a car swerved through the eastbound lanes of Lake Mead Boulevard and caused a blue car to crash into the family's vehicle. The family's vehicle then slammed into a brick retaining wall, and the three were killed immediately.

The victims were identified as Darrell Robert Wharton, 39, Brenda Lee Wharton, 38, and Autumn Lee Wharton, 3.

Hicks said three people in the blue car were taken to University Medical Center Hospital, where one is in stable condition and two are critical.

Two people riding in the third car are in stable condition. Their names weren't released.

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