News briefs for Feb. 9, 2004

Monday, Feb. 9, 2004 | 9:43 a.m.

Man hurt in fall at Bellagio

A man was being treated for critical injuries after falling about 20 feet at the Bellagio early this morning, Metro Police said.

It appears the man was trying to take a shortcut when he jumped over what he thought was a two- to three-foot retaining wall bordered by a wrought iron gate and fell.

He was taken to the trauma unit at University Medical Center. The fall was an accident, police said.

Girl, 16, dies after 'car surfing'

A 16-year-old girl who fell off the roof of a Chevrolet Blazer last Thursday night in the parking lot of Shadow Hills High School died Saturday.

Adasha Edison was "car surfing" and was thrown off the vehicle when the 16-year-old driver made a right turn, Metro Police said. She died at University Medical Center.

Police have not filed criminal charges against the driver. They are continuing their investigation.

Man hit crossing Flamingo Road

A pedestrian from Long Beach, Calif., was critically injured Sunday night while crossing Flamingo Road west of Swenson Street, Metro Police said.

Dick Mitchell, 37, was crossing Flamingo outside a crosswalk when a 2000 Lincoln Continental driven by Mary Krear, 65, of Henderson struck him about 11:50 p.m., police said.

Mitchell was taken to University Medical Center. Police said it appears his jaywalking caused the accident.

Man dies after losing control of car

A 38-year-old Las Vegas man died Saturday when he lost control of his car on Durango Road near Desert Inn Road and hit a utility pole, police said.

The crash happened around 2:10 a.m. when Daniel L. Malich was driving north on Durango and lost control of a 2003 Ford ZX3 while crossing Desert Inn, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said speed appeared to be a factor in the crash.

Two dogs die in mobile home fire

Two pet dogs died in a Saturday morning fire in northwest Las Vegas that heavily damaged a mobile home in the Jade Park mobile home park at 6601 Dephinium Ave., fire officials said.

The only occupant of the home was treated for smoke inhalation after the fire. He is staying with relatives.

The cause of the 8:20 a.m. fire was unknown, said fire officials, who estimated it caused $60,000 in damage.

Gobel to run for Assembly

Vietnam veteran and Las Vegas activist Ed Gobel, a Republican, was expected to announce today that he plans to run for Assembly District 1. Democrat Tom Collins now holds the seat but has announced plans to give it up so he can challenge Clark County Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey.

Gobel, the director of the Gobel Lowden Veterans Center and Museum in Las Vegas, is a veteran of the 101st Airborne Division and involved in several veterans organizations in the state. He has pushed several bills in the Legislature, including a law to require schools to teach the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights and a measure to build the state's veterans home.

The 54-year-old said he will focus on education, health-care costs and the volume of air traffic at North Las Vegas Airport.

Type O blood needed

United Blood Services says it has an emergency shortage of Type O blood, spokesman Dan Perlstein said, meaning there is less than a one-day supply of blood on the shelves.

Perlstein said there has been an increased need for Type O blood because of several recent tragedies. More than 60 percent of the blood used in emergency and trauma situations is Type O blood, Perlstein said.

United Blood Services has had difficulty recruiting enough donors to maintain its supply all year.

Donors are asked to call United Blood Services at 233-9620 to be directed to the nearest donation site. Donors must be at least 17 years old and 110 pounds. Other eligibility questions can be answered by calling 228-4483 (GIVE).