Suspect in fatal crash indicted

Kim Smith

Friday, Jan. 26, 2001 | 11:27 a.m.

An indictment against an Illinois woman accused of causing a crash that killed a Sandy Valley couple two weeks ago is expected to be unsealed today.

Melissa Biba, 21, was indicted by a Clark County grand jury Thursday on two counts each of driving under the influence of an intoxicating liquor causing death, reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter.

If convicted, Biba could face as much as 40 years in prison.

Police believe Biba was driving around 85 mph and passing cars on the right shoulder of northbound Interstate 15 when she sideswiped a pickup truck carrying Dick and Carlene Scott on Jan. 13. The pickup rolled numerous times, and the Scotts, who were on their way to Las Vegas to go grocery shopping, were killed.

Biba was driving back to Las Vegas from Jean to catch a flight home, police said. She had driven to Jean with a man she had met and partied with on the Strip the night before.

Prosecutors said blood tests taken within two hours of the accident showed she had a blood alcohol level of 0.17.

Biba, who posted a $100,000 bail, was expected to appear before District Judge Gene Porter at 11:30 a.m. today. Deputy District Attorney Bruce Nelson was expected to ask that her bail be increased.

Nelson said that since Biba was released on bail, he has learned that she reportedly told police that she "wasn't going to take the fall" for the accident and that it was society's fault that she was allowed to drink and drive.

Her comments indicate she may be a flight risk, Nelson said.