Woman’s bail set in bike fatality

Monday, May 24, 2004 | 9:21 a.m.

A woman accused of being under the influence of drugs when she drove her car into an 8-year-old bicyclist had her bail set at $35,000 on Friday in North Las Vegas Justice Court.

Kimberly Bunch, 29, has been charged with reckless driving, manslaughter and felony DUI for the May 5 crash that left Justyne Steffee in a coma from which she never recovered. Steffee was pronounced dead Wednesday at University Medical Center.

The Clark County coroner's office determined that Steffee died from the injuries she suffered in the crash.

Bunch will be arraigned on May 25 before Justice of the Peace Stephen Dahl.

Bunch's attorney, Stephen Stein, said he was surprised Bunch's bail hearing was held so quickly, which he characterized as being a "sneaky maneuver" by the state. Stein said he needs to see the evidence and review the case fully before commenting any further on the matter.

Blood test results taken by North Las Vegas police indicated Bunch was under the influence of methamphetamines and marijuana while driving her Chevrolet Lumina northbound on Revere Street.

Bunch was driving about 60 mph when she hit Steffee, who was traveling with the flow of westbound traffic while crossing the street on her bicycle at Craig Creek, police said. The speed limit there is 35 mph.

Bunch's car skidded 117 feet before hitting Steffee, and the car continued to skid for 87 feet after hitting the child, police said.

Witnesses told police that Steffee did not stop at the stop sign at Craig Creek, but police said evidence at the scene indicates that the automobile could have veered and missed the slow-moving child.

Nevada law treats bicycles being ridden the same as automobiles when they are operating on roads.