Hit-and-run car sought in death

Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

Metro Police today have two potential felonies to solve from a hit-and-run accident that left a woman dead and her belongings apparently rifled through.

Lynette Spiller, 42, of Las Vegas, was killed Tuesday night jaywalking across the street from her home on Charleston Boulevard east of Lucerne Street near Lamb Boulevard, Metro Police said.

Spiller was hit by what witnesses said was a white compact vehicle with possible oversized tires about 5:20 p.m. The car fled, as did a second vehicle -- a dark colored sport utility vehicle -- that also struck her, Metro traffic investigator Doug Nutton said.

"She was carried about 100 feet from where she was hit, but her backpack was found on the sidewalk near where she was hit, and that was suspicious," Nutton said.

A passerby showed up with Spiller's identification card. That person told police it was found in another location, prompting police to investigate whether someone had gone through her personal items and perhaps stolen something while the woman lay dead in the street.

However, Nutton said, police did not know this morning whether anything was stolen. It also was not clear whether the second vehicle that struck Spiller committed a hit-and-run or just left the scene of an accident, a lesser crime.

Police said the cause of the accident was pedestrian error as a result of jaywalking.

Relatives told police the woman had a history of battling alcoholism, Nutton said. Police believe alcohol consumption on the part of the pedestrian was a factor in the accident. Toxicology tests are pending.

Spiller was struck initially in the eastbound travel lane, then apparently was run over by the SUV, police said. A third car, a 1993 Ford Taurus, tried to stop but also hit the body, pinning Spiller under the vehicle. The driver was not cited.

Paramedics said Spiller was dead at the scene.

The investigation is continuing, Nutton said. Anyone with information can call him at 229-4341 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.