Woman critically hurt in hit-and-run accident

Stephen Curran

Thursday, June 3, 2004 | 10:03 a.m.

A Las Vegas woman was in critical condition this morning after being struck by an unidentified car downtown late Wednesday night.

Barbara Wesley, 37, was crossing Washington Avenue Fourth Street about 10:20 p.m. when she was hit by a vehicle heading west on Washington, Metro Police said.

The vehicle then fled the scene, Metro Detective Doug Nutton said. Witnesses at the scene were unable to describe the vehicle, he said.

Wesley was taken to University Medical Center, where she remained this morning at the hospital's Intensive Care Unit with severe head and internal injuries.

Police have not found any eyewitnesses to the accident, Nutton said.

As for why the driver fled instead of trying to help Wesley, Nutton said: "An overwhelming number of these (hit and run) cases, alcohol is the case. ( The driver) could have been sneaking home from work or could have bench warrants. Or they could be flat scared."

The area is frequently the site of alcohol-related accidents, Nutton said, and shadows often make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.

If caught, the driver faces felony hit and run charges, which can carry a penalty of up to 20 years, Nutton said.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Metro Accident Investigations Section at 229-3535.