Local news briefs for January 7, 2002

Monday, Jan. 7, 2002 | 11:11 a.m.

Cops say motorist drove at them

The names of the two Metro Police officers who fired at a man they said drove a stolen vehicle toward them Friday night were released this morning. They are Officers Russel Smith and Chris Holmes.

The officers are on paid administrative leave after shooting at the driver, Beau Dearborne, 22, who was arrested on charges connected with the incident, police said.

Police were responding to a call of a man with a gun in an alley near Fremont and 15th streets about 9:45 p.m. when they found a car matching the description given by the caller.

When the driver saw the approaching officers he put the car in reverse, drove east through the alley and crashed through a fence. He continued driving east straight toward two other officers who had responded to the call, police said.

Those officers shot at the driver, whose car then ran into a block wall. Both police officers and Dearborne were uninjured.

After further investigation police found that the vehicle was stolen and that Dearborne had a firearm inside, police said.

Dearborne is being held in the Clark County Detention Center on charges of attempted murder of a police officer, felony evading of a police officer and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Smith, 30, an officer for three years, and Holmes, 26, a rookie officer, face a use of force board to determine if the shooting was within department policy.

Woman dies in apartment blaze

A 32-year-old woman died in her second floor apartment Friday night after a fire was started from her cigarette.

Clark County Fire Department spokesman Bob Leinbach said fire investigators believe Elizabeth R. Chau fell asleep smoking either on the couch or in the bedroom. Firefighters put out the 10 p.m. fire at the Copper Canyon Apartments, 5055 W. Hacienda Ave., near Decatur Boulevard, without knowing there was someone inside.

"When you have a very smoky fire it does not take much of those poisonous gases to disorient the victim," Leinbach said. "They lose too much oxygen quickly."

Leinbach said Chau woke up during the fire but was unable to leave the apartment. A cat also died in the blaze.

About $7,500 in damage was caused, and a neighbor was forced to find temporary lodging.

This is the second fire fatality in two days caused by people falling asleep while smoking, Leinbach said.

35-year-old man found dead

Police are investigating the killing of a 35-year-old man Sunday morning in the Meadows Village area near the Stratosphere.

Shortly before 2 a.m. police were called to the alley in the 300 block of West Cincinnati Avenue by people who found the man with a gunshot wound. The man died shortly after being taken to University Medical Center.

The victim's identity was not released this morning pending his family being notified.

Oakey Boulevard narrowing planned

Starting today, Oakey Boulevard between Western Avenue and Rancho Drive will have lane restrictions that will last about two months to allow for trenching and concrete box installation as part of the Interstate 15 Channel Flood Control Improvement Project.

During the first few days, Oakey Boulevard will be narrowed to one lane in each direction. About one week later the road will narrow to a single lane for both directions with a flag person to direct traffic.

This section of Oakey Boulevard should reopen to full access in March.

Appeal rejected in 1995 slaying

The Nevada Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal of Rex L. Arthur, sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the fatal shooting of a man who was a friend of Arthur's estranged wife.

The court said Friday it reviewed the record and decided that legal briefs and oral arguments were not necessary.

Arthur claimed he did not understand the consequences of his negotiated guilty plea to murder and home invasion. He sought to withdraw his plea.

Court records said Arthur arrived at the Las Vegas mobile home of Pamela Arthur on June 2, 1995, and asked to enter. She locked the door. Inside the home was Lawrence Sharleville, who lived in the same park.

Arthur fired three shots into the home and Sharleville tried to telephone police. Three more shots were fired and Sharleville was killed.

Arthur received a life term with parole eligibility in 10 years.

Man walks in front of bus

A man who was killed when he walked in front of a tour bus on Interstate 15 has been identified as Michael Montgomery, 31, of Las Vegas.

About 4:55 a.m. Friday Montgomery stepped into oncoming traffic in the left lane of Interstate 15 near the Blue Diamond exit in front of a Coach USA tour bus that was driving north, police said.

The driver of the bus and the nine passengers were not injured.