News briefs for June 7, 2004

Monday, June 7, 2004 | 10:02 a.m.

Man shot to death, fiancee wounded

A botched drug deal left a Las Vegas man dead and his fiancee in critical condition with a gunshot wound early this morning, according to Metro Police.

Investigators at the scene said the couple were confronted by men believed to be gang members while attempting to buy drugs at the City Place Apartments, 3150 S. Decatur Blvd., about midnight. The two may have argued with the men about gang-related matters before the shooting, officers said.

Metro officers found Derek Wingard, 40, of Las Vegas shot at the scene. He died about 3:40 a.m., according to the Clark County coroner's office. His 35-year-old fiancee was taken to University Medical Center and underwent surgery this morning.

A 19-year-old man, whose name was not released, was also shot. He was treated at UMC and was released this morning, police said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Metro Police Homicide Section at 229-3521.

Driver killed in collision

A 45-year-old man was killed in a two-car accident about 6:20 a.m. Sunday on Las Vegas Boulevard South at Warm Springs Road, Metro Police said.

A 2002 Ford sport utility vehicle was traveling southbound on Las Vegas Boulevard in the left lane when a 1985 Chevrolet pickup truck collided with the rear of the Ford, police said.

Arthur Lee Laliberte of Las Vegas, who was driving the Chevrolet, was taken to the University Medical Center's trauma center, where he later died from injuries, police said.

The Ford's driver, 45-year-old Don Dinardi, of Las Vegas, received minor injuries.

Police were investigating the accident, the 52nd traffic-related fatality in Metro's jurisdiction in 2004.

Seaplane sinks in Lake Mohave

A seaplane pilot was rescued about 5:30 p.m. Saturday by boaters who plucked the flier out as his aircraft sank into Lake Mohave.

The boaters noticed the nose of the plane sticking out of the water and called park rangers, National Park Service spokeswoman Roxanne Dey said.

They pulled Richard Schaller of Avondale, Ariz., from the water in the middle of Cottonwood Cove Basin, Dey said.

Schaller said the experimental Searay seaplane's cabin quickly filled with water after he landed on the lake.

He escaped the sinking craft and was wearing a life jacket, Dey said.

A crew from Cottonwood Cove Resort also responded to the crash with the park rangers, Dey said. Using the salvage barge owned and operated by the resort, the airplane was recovered early Saturday evening.

This is the second time in a week that a seaplane has sunk in Lake Mohave. On June 1 a student pilot, his instructor and a Federal Aviation Administration examiner also escaped injury when their plane sank during the student's test flight. Apparently, the plane's plugs were not secured before the student pilot attempted to land, Dey said.

The accidents are under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. There is no final cause for either crash.

Food program set at rec centers

Starting today the Clark County Parks and Community Services Department will be sponsoring the Nevada Department of Education and Health's Summer Food Service Program. Children enrolled in the Rek Trek programs at six Las Vegas Valley community centers will receive free breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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