News briefs for Jan. 20, 2003

Monday, Jan. 20, 2003 | 11:03 a.m.

Pickup driver dies in crash

A California man was killed early this morning when he lost control of his pickup truck on Russell Road near Broadbent Boulevard, Metro Police said.

The crash occurred shortly after 4 a.m., Metro Police Detective Oscar Chavez said this morning. The driver, who had not been identified, was heading east on Russell Road in a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck when he went into the shoulder, hit a road sign and slammed into a three-foot high concrete barrier.

The driver was thrown from the vehicle. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Inquest clears officers in killing

A shooting in December involving three Metro Police SWAT officers was ruled justified Friday at a Clark County coroner's inquest.

Officers Darrell Hixson, Manuel Rivera and David Reid did not commit a crime when they fired shots Dec. 12 that killed Javier Duarte Chavez, 24, who police say shot and wounded 27-year-old Officer Enrique Hernandez earlier that night.

A jury of seven people reached the decision after a four-hour hearing in Clark County District Court.

Pedestrian killed by tractor-trailer

A man was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 15 at Cheyenne Avenue about 10 a.m. on Sunday.

The Nevada Highway Patrol was still investigating the accident and no charges have been filed.

The victim's identification had not been released this morning.

Witnesses said it appeared the man ran into the path of the truck.

Victim found shot in the eye

A man was shot in the eye about 1:40 p.m. Sunday and was in critical condition at University Medical Center, Metro Police said.

Officers were called to the area of Baltimore and Tam avenues west of the Stratosphere after reports of a shooting. The victim was conscious and was able to describe a suspect, police said. Police described the suspect as about 5-foot-8 and weighing about 200 pounds.

97 chickens killed to battle disease

State officials have killed 97 chickens in Southern Nevada after exotic Newcastle disease was confirmed last week in a backyard flock of chickens in a neighborhood near Nellis Air Force Base.

The total number of birds destroyed include those from the original investigation scene and a neighboring property.

Symptoms in the birds include coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, loss of appetite, a severe drop in egg production and sudden death.

Nevada agriculture officials have quarantined poultry and pet birds in southern Nye County and all of Clark County. Owners of euthanized birds may be reimbursed, but no compensation will be offered to private pet store owners, who are barred from selling all birds.

Exotic Newcastle disease poses no threat to humans. The disease cannot be passed through the consumption of infected meat or eggs. The disease is spread through bird populations by direct contact.

A hotline has been established at (702) 515-5200.

Body of man found in desert

A father and son driving in a desert area of North Las Vegas Friday discovered the body of a man near the 3400 block of West Verde Way, authorities said.

The dead man's identity had not been released this morning.

He appeared to have suffered a fatal head wound, North Las Vegas Police spokesman Mark Martin said.

Detectives were trying to determine if the crime was committed in the area where the body was found, which is near Allen Lane and Lone Mountain Road, or if it occurred elsewhere and was dumped there.

Anyone with information is asked to call Secret Witness at 385-5555 or North Las Vegas Police at 633-1773.

Driver killed in pickup truck crash

A driver was killed Saturday when he lost control of his pickup truck on Charleston Boulevard near Hickey Avenue, a Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman said.

The driver lost control of his vehicle about 11:45 p.m., and the vehicle went off the road then overturned. The driver and passenger, whose identities were not released this morning, were both thrown from the truck. Neither was wearing seat belts. Alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

The driver died at the scene. The female passenger suffered a broken pelvis and neck injuries.

Motorcyclist killed in collision with SUV

A motorcycle driver was killed Friday when his bike collided with a sport utility vehicle on Lake Mead Boulevard, three miles east of Hollywood Boulevard, a Nevada Highway Patrol spokesman said.

The crash occurred about 2:45 p.m. A passenger on the motorcycle was injured, a spokesman said. The crash was still under investigation, but alcohol was not believed to be a factor.