News briefs for April 22, 2003

Tuesday, April 22, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

Girl, 17, killed in collision

A 17-year-old girl was killed Monday night in a two-vehicle crash on Decatur Boulevard near Rochelle Avenue, Metro Police said.

A 1998 Ford driven by Maria Bustamante, 26, was heading north, without lights, at a high rate of speed on Decatur about 9:40 p.m., police said, ran a red light at Harmon Avenue and hit a 1976 Chevrolet pickup, which was making a left turn into a private driveway.

The driver of the pickup, Daniel Walsh, 28, didn't see the car until the last minute and accelerated to avoid a collision, police said.

The right front of the Ford hit the right rear of the pickup, causing the Ford to go under the back of the pickup and continued north for about 200 feet before stopping along the curb.

A passenger in the Ford, Leticia Bustamante Perez of Las Vegas, was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel, police said.

Bustamante was not injured. Walsh and his passenger suffered minor injuries. A 7-week-old boy in their vehicle was not injured, police said.

Police said the crash was caused by speeding and the Ford's lack of headlights, as well as the pickup's failure to yield. No criminal action has been taken, pending an investigation by Metro's accident investigation team. This is the 40th fatal crash in Metro's jurisdiction this year.

Gunshot victim is identified

A man found shot to death about 4:30 a.m. Monday next to his 1993 Mercury Villager in Henderson has been identified by the Clark County coroner's office as William Francis Shepherd, 54, of Las Vegas.

Shepherd was found lying in the street on Patrick Lane between Stephanie Street and Whitney Ranch Drive, Henderson Police said.

Witnesses told police they heard yelling, a gunshot and a vehicle speeding from the scene. Witnesses also said they heard the name Phillip.

Anyone with information is asked to call Henderson Police at 565-8933 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Dotson penalty is postponed

Jury deliberations to decide whether Anthony Dotson will receive the death penalty or life in prison for killing an elderly Las Vegas woman were put on hold Monday.

District Judge Michael Cherry postponed the deliberations after a juror experienced a death in the family and had to travel out of state for the funeral.

Deliberations are expected to resume Wednesday.

Dotson, 44, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 79-year-old Doris Bair in her home in the 1400 block of Bracken Avenue near 15th Street and Oakey Boulevard. Her body was found beaten, gagged and bound.

Prosecutors had argued that jurors should sentence Dotson to death, pointing to his long history of violent crimes against elderly women in California and Nevada.

Dotson's attorney begged jurors to spare his life because he had taken responsibility for his actions and had a bad upbringing.

Woman found stabbed identified

A woman found stabbed to death in the 800 block of South Third Street on April 15 has been identified as Tawyna Sweowat, 21, of Yakima, Wash., Metro Police said.

She was known by the nickname "Angel" and frequented the area behind the Stratosphere Tower known as the Meadows Village. She was last seen April 12 in the area of Tam Drive and Cincinnati Avenue, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the homicide section at 229-3521 or Crime Stoppers at 385-5555. A reward of up to $1,000 is offered.

Fire hits trailer at Episcopal church

Fire damaged a double-wide mobile home owned by the Grace Desert Episcopal Church in Summerlin shortly before 2 a.m. today, the Las Vegas Fire Department said.

When firefighters arrived, they saw flames coming from the mobile home, situated next to a park and construction site for a new church, located at 2004 Spring Gate Lane. The trailer was used as a temporary administration building and Sunday school.

Damage was estimated at $50,000. No one was injured.