News briefs for August 20, 2002

Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2002 | 9:46 a.m.

Stabbing victim is identified

A 38-year-old man found stabbed to death last week at a homeless encampment near railroad tracks off Tropicana Avenue was identified as Peter A. Knutson.

Knutson was found dead Aug. 11 about 8 a.m. in a desert area in the 3800 block of Graphic Center Drive near Valley View Boulevard and Tropicana. Clark County coroner's officials ruled Knutson died from multiple stab wounds.

Witnesses told Metro Police there was a fight between some homeless people living in the makeshift camp, but police have not determined if the fight was related to Knutson's slaying.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call Metro's homicide unit at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Third man dies after SUV crash

A third Las Vegas man died Monday from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident on Lake Mead Boulevard Sunday.

Carlos Quirino, 20, died at University Medical Center Monday at 11:10 p.m. Eduardo Hernandez, 17, died at the scene and Augusto Carrera, 27, died at UMC Sunday. Two others are still recovering at the hospital, a 31-year-old man in critical condition and a 30-year-old man in fair condition.

Troopers are investigating the crash and have not yet determined which of the men was driving the sport utility vehicle that rolled over near Hollywood and Lake Mead boulevards.

Passenger killed in accident ID'd

A 45-year-old passenger who died in a single-vehicle accident Saturday has been identified as John G. Scinta of Las Vegas.

Bruce Averill, 51, of Las Vegas was driving a 1983 Ford LTD on Arville Street near Del Ray Avenue Saturday about 2 a.m. when he apparently lost control, drove up on the sidewalk and struck a pole, Metro Police said.

Averill and Scinta were taken to University Medical Center, where Scinta died. A second passenger was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Police are continuing to investigate the crash.

ID theft draws 30 months in jail

A man found guilty of four counts of bank fraud in connection with an identity theft case that victimized Las Vegas financial institutions has been sentenced to 30 months in prison.

William Spencer Hart was indicted on the fraud charges in June 2001 and was found guilty of using fake driver's licenses to open accounts at area banks, then depositing counterfeit checks into the accounts.

Hart was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 30 months for each count and will serve his sentences concurrently. He has also been ordered to pay $67,272 in restitution.

Swimmer drowns in Lake Mead

Joel Velasques-Domingues, 21, of North Las Vegas drowned Sunday in Lake Mead.

With a group of friends at Government Wash, Velasques-Domingues tried to swim across a cove, a distance of 200 to 250 yards, authorities said.

Witnesses said he appeared to be in trouble and when the National Park Service received the call, he had been missing for 10 minutes. Park Service and Nevada Division of Wildlife units responded.

A Park Service diver recovered the man in 15 feet of water.

Velasques-Domingues was not wearing a life jacket. Alcohol appeared to be a factor in the accident, according to the Park Service.

He was the seventh person to drown in Lake Mead this summer, Park Superintendent William Dickinson said. He urged all boaters and swimmers to wear life jackets.

The Salvation Army

Clark County Command will conduct a remembrance service to commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at 6 p.m. in the Salvation Army Chapel at 2900 Palomino Lane. The service is open to the public. The Salvation Army became an integral part of the volunteers who assisted at ground zero in New York City after the attack.

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