Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

News briefs for Oct. 4, 2002

Family files suit in fatal crash

The husband and daughter of Las Vegas Sun Vice President and Associate Editor Sandy Thompson have filed a lawsuit against the man accused of causing the car accident that killed her.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in District Court, Gary Thompson and Kelly Thompson believe John Simbrat was speeding, driving recklessly and under the influence of drugs when he drove into the back of Thompson's car Aug. 9.

The Thompsons further allege Simbrat "failed to keep a proper lookout and pay full attention to the traffic conditions in his vicinity" that day.

According to the lawsuit, Gary Thompson came upon the scene of the accident on the Las Vegas Beltway and recognized what he thought was his wife's car.

Thirty minutes after stopping at the scene and trying his wife on her cellular phone and at the Sun, Thompson was informed his wife was involved in the crash and was dead.

The Thompsons are seeking unspecified damages.

Man, 18, found shot to death

Metro Police are investigating the shooting death of a man found at an apartment complex about 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Witnesses reported seeing the 18-year-old man standing with several others.

At least one shot was fired, Metro Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said. Witnesses told police a blue vehicle with a hatchback and California licenses plates was seen leaving the area.

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

Aliante takes step forward

Plans for parts of the Aliante Master Planned Community in North Las Vegas moved forward Wednesday night, with the mayor and City Council approving one zoning designation and set to vote Oct. 16 on three more for the project.

The mayor and council unanimously approved zoning 20 acres at the intersection of Simmons Street and Deer Springs Way for a public park.

On Oct. 16 they will hold a public hearing on establishing a gaming enterprise district on property at the intersection of Simmons Street and the Las Vegas Beltway.

The council also will vote that day on a residential zoning classification for about 78 acres east of Simmons Street.

Aliante, a project of North Valley Enterprises LLC, is planned to include 7,500 homes on 1,905 acres in northwest North Las Vegas.

North Valley is a partnership between developers American Nevada Corp. and Del Webb Corp. American Nevada is owned by the Greenspun family, which owns the Las Vegas Sun.

Hadden hearing held in California

The former California teacher who came to Las Vegas with a 15-year-old student was arraigned Thursday in San Bernardino on nine felony counts ranging from child stealing to unlawful intercourse with a minor.

Tanya Hadden, who is jailed in Las Vegas, was arraigned via video transmission and likely will be extradited within weeks, said prosecutor Douglas Herndon. An innocent plea was entered by the judge on her behalf.

Nevadans face bad-air problem

Nevadans face a greater risk of developing cancer by breathing diesel engine soot and other airborne toxics, according to a national advocacy group.

U.S. Public Interest Research Groups, in a report released Thursday, said Nevadans on average face a one-in-4,444 cancer risk from airborne toxics, compared with a one-in-1 million standard set by the federal Clean Air Act.

Most of the added cancer risk is from soot released by diesel-powered trucks, buses, and construction and farm equipment.

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