Driver cited in collision with boy on bicycle

Wednesday, March 31, 2004 | 10:19 a.m.

The driver who struck and critically injured a 13-year-old boy riding his bike in a crosswalk last week was cited Tuesday with failure to pay full attention to traffic, a misdemeanor.

Erin Young, 24, faces a penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 in connection with the accident March 22 on that injured Manuel Cezares.

She told Metro Police she was reaching for a ringing cell phone and didn't see the boy as he crossed the street.

"We reviewed the police report and found sufficient evidence to charge Ms. Young with the driving infraction," District Attorney David Roger.

Drivers charged with this offense do not typically serve any jail time, he said.

Police said last week that after speaking with officials with the district attorney's office, they considered citing both the boy and the Young, or citing neither.

It is illegal to ride a bike in a crosswalk in Nevada. According to the state statutes, bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as cars. A preliminary police investigation showed Cazares was partially to blame for the wreck.

But prosecutors decided to go forward with charges against Young and not cite Cazares. He is still being treated for injuries at University Medical Center and was on a ventilator last week.