Vegas news briefs for Sept. 12, 2000

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2000 | 10:42 a.m.

Pedestrian killed in Decatur crash

A 58-year-old Las Vegas man was killed Monday night after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while trying to cross Decatur Boulevard near Washington Avenue.

A car or possibly a truck hit Angel Contreras, who was crossing in the middle of the street where there were no crosswalks, about 8:50 p.m., Metro Police said. The driver was apparently unable to avoid Contreras and struck him.

The driver fled the area southbound on Decatur Boulevard immediately after the collision, police said.

Contreras was taken to University Medical Center where he later died, police said.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call Detective Steven Winne at 229-3535 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Compensation hearing delayed

A House subcommittee postponed a Thursday hearing on compensation for nuclear weapons workers, including those at the Nevada Test Site, until Sept. 21.

The House Judiciary Immigration and Claims Subcommittee announced the change Monday. A delegation of Oak Ridge, Tenn., workers and health activists had arrived in Washington, D.C., ready to testify this week.

As Congress rushes to adjourn in early October, hopes have dimmed among thousands of workers nationwide that Congress will pass improved benefits for former nuclear weapons employees this year.

Sahara off-ramp to be closed

In conjunction with the Sahara Avenue and Interstate 15 widening project, the left turn traffic lane of the I-15 southbound Sahara off-ramp will be closed for about a year beginning on Sunday.

Motorists will still be able to use the right turn lane to head west on Sahara, but those wishing to head east will have to use another street or take the Sahara fly-over bridge from I-15 south, Nevada Department of Transportation officials said.

There will be heavy traffic in the area until the project is completed.