Friday, Nov. 5, 2004 | 9:37 a.m.
Driver killed in vehicle crash
Metro Police detectives believe alcohol may have been the cause of a single-vehicle accident that killed a 31-year-old Las Vegas man early this morning.
Officers say the man, whose name was not released this morning, was traveling west on Serene Avenue near Eastern Avenue about 3 a.m., when the road narrowed as he came to an undeveloped area. He then traveled off the road, overcorrected and swerved across both lanes of traffic.
His 1994 Chevrolet pickup then jumped a curb and crashed into a block retaining wall, Metro Detective Doug Nutton said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Pedestrian leaves sidewalk, killed
A Las Vegas pedestrian died Thursday night after he abruptly stepped into the path of an oncoming car, according to Metro Police.
The 38-year-old man, whose name was not released this morning, was walking west on a sidewalk along Lake Mead Boulevard about 8:30 p.m. when, for an undetermined reason, he stepped in front of a 1997 Ford Mustang driven by Gary Dipietro, 41, of Las Vegas, officers said.
According to police, Dipietro tried to stop but struck the pedestrian and knocked him to the ground. He is not expected to face charges.
The man was taken to University Medical Center, but later died.
Officer injured as SUV hits car
A Metro Police officer suffered moderate injuries Thursday night when his patrol car was struck by an SUV making an illegal left turn, police said.
Howard Crosby, 34, was responding to a burglary call and was using his vehicle's siren and emergency lights while traveling on Rainbow Boulevard south of Westcliff Drive, according to police.
Investigators say Lalaeyna Grace, 33, of Las Vegas, was traveling north on Rainbow in a center turn lane that had been closed for construction. Grace then tried to turn her 1992 Nissan Pathfinder into a shopping center parking lot on the west side of the road, striking the left side of Crosby's patrol car in the process, police said.
Both Grace and Crosby were taken to University Medical Center with moderate injuries.
Upon closer examination, Grace was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance, police said. She was expected to be charged upon her release from UMC.
Metro was still investigating the accident, but it appeared to have been caused by an unsafe left turn, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, and alleged DUI, according to police.
Suspect sought in fatal shooting
Metro Police are searching for a 25-year-old Las Vegas man in connection with a fatal shooting in a gated community near U.S. 95 and Decatur Boulevard Thursday morning.
Sean Sales is described as 6 feet-one inch and between 185 and 200 pounds. He should be considered armed and very dangerous, Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.
Investigators believe Sales killed a man inside a house in the 5300 block of Images Court about 2 a.m. Thursday. The victim's name has not been released.
Man arrested in ramming of cars
North Las Vegas Police have identified the man arrested Wednesday night for allegedly ramming another vehicle and two police cars, Officer Tim Bedwell, police spokesman, said.
Police allege James Thompson, 61, of Las Vegas hit a parked car in the 3100 block of Hartley Cove Avenue, and then on Pecos Road ran into a white SUV that followed him.
When police arrived, Bedwell said, Thompson allegedly put his pickup truck into reverse and hit the cruiser. The officer fired several shots at the truck.
Bedwell said another officer got to the scene and police said Thompson allegedly hit his cruiser head-on. That officer also fired at the vehicle, Bedwell said.
Thompson then tried to drive away, but his truck was too damaged, Bedwell said. He jumped from the car and the officer ran after him, quickly taking him into custody.
First Airport Day canceled
Planners in Boulder City canceled the city's first Airport Day, which had been scheduled for Saturday, blaming a miscommunication between a planning committee and airport operators.
Airport Day was originally scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Boulder City Airport and was to feature aerobatics, parachuting and vintage aircraft.
Planners have not rescheduled the event, but Airport Coordinator Mike Minshall said the committee was hoping to set a new date in March or April.
Minshall said the airport's fixed base operations workers had not cooperated with the committee planning the event, making it impossible for the airport to adequately prepare for the day.
"I didn't feel we had enough cooperation to proceed (with the event)," he said. "I'm hoping it was a misunderstanding."
State's disaster plan approved
Nevada's plan for dealing with major disasters has been approved by the federal government.
"The multi-hazard mitigation plan will help communities throughout the state plan for and respond to disaster, whenever they may occur," Gov. Kenny Guinn said Tuesday.
A law passed by Congress in 2000 required all states to submit their plans by Nov. 1 to be eligible for extra federal funds in case of major hazards. If the president signs a disaster declaration, for example, Nevada would be eligible for an additional 7.5 percent of funding, thanks to the plan approval.
Elizabeth Ashby, state hazardous mitigation officer, said the state submitted its plan in early October and the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved it last week. The plan had taken nearly a year to develop.
Air Guard gets new commander
Brig. Gen. Charles Chinnock Jr., is retiring Saturday as commander of the Nevada Air National guard.
Chinnock, who has 37 years' service, will be replaced by Brig Gen. Larry Cerfoglio, who has been chief of staff since 2003. Chinnock, who works as director of the state Department of Taxation, has been the commander and assistant adjutant general of the Nevada Air National Guard since 2001.
Col. Michael Gillihur will be promoted to brigadier general during the change of command ceremonies and will become vice commander of the air guard. Col. Jonathan Proehl will replace Gullihur as commander of the 152nd Airlift Wing in Reno.
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