Suspect in traffic deaths appears in court

Kim Smith

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001 | 11:04 a.m.

Once a week for 11 years Sandy Valley residents Dick Scott and his wife, Carlene, would make the trek into Las Vegas to get their groceries. They never made it on Saturday.

According to authorities, Melissa Biba side-swipped the Scotts' new pickup truck while driving drunk, causing it to roll multiple times, killing them.

Biba made her first court appearance today. She said nothing during the proceeding.

Deputy District Attorney Bruce Nelson has asked for 10 days to file a formal criminal complaint against Biba.

Nelson said he is still waiting on the results of the Scotts' autopsies and medical reports.

Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo said he believes that is too long, but he agreed to hear arguments on the issue and on Biba's bail Friday.

After the hearing, Nelson said that Biba's blood alcohol levels were at .17 and .15 two hours after the accident. The legal limit is .10.

Police believe Biba was driving about 80 mph and passing cars on the right shoulder of northbound Interstate 15 because she was in a hurry to catch a flight back to Illinois, where she resides.

Biba and her passenger, who were both uninjured in the wreck, met late Friday night on the Strip, and the two rented a Corvette to drive to Jean.

Once they arrived, Biba apparently remembered her flight. The accident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

This morning, the Scotts' children, Ric Scott of Los Angeles and Cindy Pippen of Phoenix, said they believe the car rental company is partially responsible for the incident.

Regardless, they want Biba, if she's convicted, to receive the maximum sentence possible. They also want her to be an example for people who drink and drive.

The Scotts have lost nine family members as a result of five alcohol-related accidents.

"This isn't an accident, it's a tragedy," Scott said.

Dick Scott, 59, worked at the Goldstrike hotel-casino in Jean as a slot technician. Carlene Scott, 66, was a homemaker. A memorial service for the couple will be held at the Goldstrike Friday afternoon.