News briefs for June 3, 2002

Monday, June 3, 2002 | 11:13 a.m.

Man arrested in motel killing

Metro Police arrested a 49-year-old California man Saturday after finding his roommate beaten to death.

Police were called to a motel in the 3500 block of Paradise Road for a body found Saturday about 1:30 p.m. An autopsy determined the 72-year-old California man was killed by blunt force trauma, police said.

Stephen Smythe was booked into the Clark County jail on a murder charge.

Smythe and the 72-year-old man, whose name was not released this morning, had lived together in California and were visiting Las Vegas and staying in the motel together, police said.

Teens find body of woman

Metro Police are investigating a dead body that two teenagers discovered about 2:15 p.m. Sunday as they walked through a parking lot in the 4700 block of Boulder Highway.

The victim, a woman who appeared to be in her 30s, may have been dumped at that location, police said. There was no apparent cause of death. The woman's identity had not been confirmed this morning by the Clark County coroner's office.

Anyone with information is urged to call Secret Witness at 385-5555 or Metro's homicide section at 229-3521.

Driver killed as truck hits ravine

Metro Police are investigating a fatal accident that occurred about 11:30 a.m. Sunday on Lake Mead Boulevard on the way to Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

A 1996 Dodge pickup was traveling westbound on Lake Mead at a high rate of speed, police said, when it drove off the road. The driver, Sergio Ayala-Arias, over-corrected and crossed the center line into the path of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, police said.

Motorcycle driver Stanley Blaszczyk, 39, saw the car and braked, causing the Harley to slide on its side. The driver and passenger, Jody Blaszczyk, 38, were thrown from the vehicle, but received minor and moderate injuries.

The truck went into the desert, went airborne and came to rest in a ravine, killing Ayala-Arias, 27, of North Las Vegas, officials said.

Collision takes life of woman

Metro Police are investigating a fatal accident that occurred about 10 am. Saturday at Washington Avenue and G Street.

Witnesses and evidence at the scene indicate that a 1988 Acura was southbound on G Street and failed to stop at a posted stop sign on Washington, police said.

The right side of the Acura was struck by the front of a Ford pickup.

The Acura's driver, Richard Hunt, 46, and passenger Valarie Hunt, 49, were taken to University Medical Center's Trauma Center. Valarie Hunt died at the hospital as a result of her injuries.

Richard Hunt was admitted to the hospital with moderate injuries.

Alcohol may be a factor, officers said. No charges have been filed.

Police say woman kills her son

A 71-year-old Las Vegas woman shot her son to death Saturday, probably in self-defense, after they argued over money, Metro Police said.

Keith Fletchall, 39, approached his mother with a baseball bat as the two argued in their home, officers said. The mother fired a handgun at her son.

Fletchall was taken to University Medical Center, where he died.

Police said they believe the woman shot in self-defense, but the district attorney's office will review the case.

Boy, 15, dies in shooting

A 15-year-old boy died about 5 a.m. Sunday after police discovered he and another man shot Saturday night.

Metro Police were called to the 1900 block of Cindysue Street near Rancho and Vegas drives about 10 p.m. Saturday for the report of shots fired. Police found Antonio Gonzalez, 15, of Las Vegas, and another person shot.

Both were taken to University Medical Center for treatment, but Gonzalez died Sunday. Gerardo Camarena, 23, was listed in critical condition this morning.

Metro Police gang unit and homicide detectives responded to the scene and spoke to witnesses, who claimed three men were seen running from the area.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call Metro's homicide section or Secret Witness at 385-5555.