12-year-old boy riding dirt bike killed in collision

Friday, May 28, 2004 | 11:13 a.m.

A Las Vegas boy died early this morning after his dirt bike collided with an SUV that crossed into his path.

The boy, 12-year-old Sean Parker, was riding his Honda XR 100 dirt bike near the intersection of Amigo Street and Eldorado Lane about 5:30 Thursday evening when a 1989 Chevrolet Blazer driven by 80-year-old William Billings, also of Las Vegas, crossed into his path, forcing Parker to broadside the vehicle.

Parker was wearing a helmet, but a chin strap was not properly secured, said Metro Police Detective Doug Nutton.

Parker was taken to University Medical Center, where he later died, Nutton said.

No citations have been issued nor have charges been filed, but the investigation is ongoing, he said.

Normally, parents who allow a minor to operate a motor vehicle would face a misdemeanor ticket if an investigation finds they knowingly allowed the child access to the vehicle. An investigation is ongoing to determine if Parker's parents knew he had taken out the dirt bike.

"But what more can you do to a parent aside (from) the loss of a child," Nutton said.

Clark County District Attorney David Roger had not yet seen the report and would not speculate on whether Parker's parents would face a citation. Unlicensed minors operating a motor vehicle would normally face a traffic ticket, he said.

The area where the accident occurred is near an undeveloped dirt lot that could have been used for dirt bike riding, he said.

It is legal for a minor to operate a dirt bike on private property but not on public roadways, Nutton said. The speed limit where the accident occurred is 25 mph.