Two die trying to help dog

Wednesday, July 30, 2003 | 10:49 a.m.

Two local residents died after they were struck by vehicles as the pair tried to corral a dog that had escaped from a ranch on Blue Diamond Road on Monday night, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

The highway patrol is still investigating the 10:45 p.m. accident.

Both the man and the woman loved animals, friends said.

Jim Cullen, 40, and Robin Lee Mills, 41, were killed while trying to retrieve a dog that had left a ranch owned by Rick Bowman, Mills' boyfriend. Friends said they had heard that Mills was going to marry Bowman.

Cullen worked at the Bonnie Springs Ranch Old Nevada, which has a petting zoo animals for petting and horses.

"Everyone here was a friend of Jim's," said Sue Austin, who has worked at the ranch for seven years.

Cullen was known for his expertise with animals, especially horses, she said.

Three years ago Cullen had worked serving drinks at the Blue Diamond Saloon, Mary Masuy, an employee at the saloon, said. She said that like others she was shocked that her friend was dead.

At least two vehicles were involved in the accident, Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Thom Jackson said. One of the victims was hit once; the other appeared to have been struck twice, he said. Cullen and Mills were dead at the scene of the accident.

Drivers of the two vehicles that struck the victims stopped at the accident scene and two other motorists also gave troopers statements about the accident, Jackson said.

The preliminary investigation points to pedestrian error, he said.

"I'd be very, very surprised if there were charges filed," Jackson said.

Bicyclists have often complained that drivers seem to go faster than the 65 mph posted speed limit along Blue Diamond Road.