Probe of crash that killed teens ongoing

Wednesday, June 14, 2000 | 11:50 a.m.

A state probe into the highway accident that killed six teenagers working on a Clark County cleanup crew is continuing with no projected date for completion or release of findings slated.

"All I can tell you now is that there will be no report today -- it is still under investigation," said Jimmie Garrett, safety manager for Nevada's Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement Section.

There were several news reports that the findings were expected to be released today regarding whether Clark County violated any state safety laws on March 19, the day when the teenagers were killed on Interstate 15 when a minivan ran off the highway and struck them.

Clark County is facing potential lawsuits from the parents of the children who were killed in the accident.

This week, Clark County officials said crews of teens would no longer clean up highways or freeways as part of their community service for offenses they were found guilty of committing.

County officials say the cleanup program will continue, but now will focus on maintaining area parks, removing trash from the desert and vacant lots and painting over graffiti-covered sidewalks and walls.

Jessica Williams, 21, faces the possibility of a 120-year prison sentence if convicted of driving under the influence. According to prosecutors, Williams was under the influence of marijuana and the hallucinogenic drug Ecstasy when she fell asleep at the wheel. She remains in custody.

The van went into the I-15 median, traveled more than 200 feet and struck the teenagers who were picking up trash. Five of them -- Scott Garner Jr., Alberto Puig, Anthony Smith, Rebeccah Glicken and Malina Stoltzfus -- died at the scene. A sixth, Jennifer Booth, died the next day.