News briefs for August 17, 2001

Friday, Aug. 17, 2001 | 10:31 a.m.

Two teens killed while passing truck

Two California teens died Thursday when their vehicle crashed into another car while trying to pass a tractor-trailer on U.S. 95 in Boulder City.

The driver of the second car, a 61-year-old man, was listed in serious condition in University Medical Center this morning.

The driver of a vehicle was northbound on U.S. 95, just south of the intersection with U.S. 93, and went into the southbound lane in an attempt to pass a truck. The passing vehicle crashed into a car in the southbound lane, Boulder City Police said. The accident occurred about 6:40 a.m. Thursday.

The two teens who died in the crash were identified this morning as Eric A. Dennis, 16, and Cory Tate, 17, both of Placentia, Calif.

Driver in crash had been shot

A 39-year-old Arizona man thought to have been killed in a car crash actually died from a gunshot wound, and his death is being investigated as a homicide.

Chris D. Payton of Golden Valley, Ariz., between Kingman and Bullhead City, was found partially ejected from a pickup truck on Monday. Golden Valley Fire Department paramedics arrived at the accident where Payton was pronounced dead.

His body was taken to the Mohave County, Ariz., medical examiner's office where the head wound was determined to have been caused by a bullet, Mohave County Sheriff's Office officials said.

No suspects have been identified.

Funding approved for lake study

The Southern Nevada Water Authority board approved Wednesday a $50,000 study of "dissolved organic carbon" in Lake Mead.

UNLV researchers will study the concentration and movement of the carbon in the lake's waters. The carbon can react with chlorine in the water treatment process to produce small amounts of carcinogenic contaminants.

Kay Brothers, water authority resources director, said the contaminants are well below federal limits for drinking water, but knowing more about the carbon can give the authority some idea of possible treatment options.

She told the authority board that algae produces the carbon. Although a large algae bloom appeared in the lake this year, Brothers said the likely source for much of the carbon is the Las Vegas Wash, which drains surface runoff from the entire Las Vegas Valley.

Weekly giving out backpacks

Las Vegas Councilman Lawrence Weekly will be giving out free backpacks Saturday to celebrate a "Back to School" bash.

At least 2,000 backpacks will be given away to students from 6 to 16 years old from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza at Lorenzi Park.

Families will have the opportunity to play games, receive limited school supplies and visit booths providing information on local organizations. In addition, vendors will be selling a variety of foods and refreshments.

For more information, call 229-5097.