Man to enter plea in firefighter’s death

Erica D. Johnson

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003 | 11:09 a.m.

The man authorities say got into a bar fight with an off-duty firefighter, killing him, will plead guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge, Clark County District Attorney David Roger said this morning.

Roger said Richard Jero has agreed to plead guilty to the felony charge in the death of Darron Van Dyke of the Clark County Fire Department.

Authorities say Van Dyke died from his injuries after the two men got into a fight Oct. 27 at the Hurricane Bar and Grill, 10430 S. Bermuda Road.

Roger said Jero agreed to plead guilty to the charge after Metro Police submitted the case to the district attorney's office requesting a warrant for manslaughter.

"We expect him to make the plea within the next few weeks," Roger said.

Jero faces one to four years in prison when he is sentenced, Roger said.

Jero's attorney, Peter Christiansen Sr., could not immediately be reached for comment this morning.

Van Dyke was reportedly at the bar with his fiancee when he got into an argument with Jero. Jero allegedly punched Van Dyke once, authorities said.

Van Dyke died from his injuries days later at University Medical Center.

Roger said Jero was living in Las Vegas when the incident occurred and that he was not aware of any prior criminal record.