News briefs for February 28, 2005

Monday, Feb. 28, 2005 | 11:03 a.m.

Bus kills man outside crosswalk

A 34-year-old man died Saturday night after walking in front of a bus on Las Vegas Boulevard, Metro Police reported.

Elias Zavala-Nevarez of Las Vegas was crossing Las Vegas Boulevard at Cheyenne Avenue outside of the crosswalk, police said. While he crossed, the light turned green and he was struck by the bus just before reaching the other side of the street, police said.

Zavala-Nevarez was pronounced dead at the scene.

The bus was traveling in the dedicated bus lane and had a green light, according to police. The bus driver, 24-year-old Mehdi Mohammadi-Monjezi of Las Vegas, and was not cited. The case remained under investigation this morning.

Woman, 74, hit by SUV

A 74-year-old Las Vegas woman suffered serious injury when she stepped in front of a sport utility vehicle Sunday, Metro Police said.

Josephine D'Aureli was crossing Flamingo Road west of Decatur Boulevard about noon and was apparently outside a crosswalk, police said.

D'Aureli stepped in front of a westbound Ford Escape driven by Gregory Bedotto, 46, who was apparently unable to avoid hitting her, police said.

She remained in critical condition this morning at Sunrise Hospital, a spokeswoman said.

Firefighters contain blaze in home

Firefighters were able to quickly contain an early morning house fire Saturday that resulted in limited injury and damage, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue reported.

People inside the house in the 3100 block of Bucknell Drive, near Rampart Boulevard and Fort Apache Road, called the fire department. Firefighters arrived and were able to limit the fire to the bedroom where it had started, the department said.

Both people at home during the fire were able to safely leave though one was taken to the hospital with minor smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire had not been reported this morning.

Damage was estimated at $75,000.

Stabbings kill one, wound another

One man was killed and another wounded in a double stabbing Sunday night near Tropicana Avenue and Maryland Parkway, police said.

Metro Police officers responded to a 9:30 p.m. call about a stabbing at the Rancho Alvarado Apartments, 5080 Reno Avenue, east of Maryland Parkway.

The Clark County Coroners office this morning identified the dead man as 22-year-old Chrystian Lopez-Yanez of Las Vegas.

The man who was stabbed and survived was taken to a local hospital, police said. His name was not available this morning.

Residents who lived at or near the apartment complex said they heard a commotion in the parking lot.

One man, who refused to give his name because he feared retaliation, said he heard some men arguing about a girl in front of a market on Maryland Parkway shortly before the stabbing occurred.

Another man, who also would not give his name, said that he saw four men running through the apartment complex parking lot when one of the men brought out a knife. He said he did not see the man stab anyone.

Man found dead in park lake

A man was found dead in the man-made lake at Lorenzi Park on Friday, Metro police said.

The man, in his 60s, was not identified, said Lt. Rick Vonfeldt. He said the body showed no signs of trauma and the police did not suspect the deceased was a homocide victim.

The Clark County cororners office had yet to identify the man this morning.

The dead man also did not appear to have been robbed. Although the body had no identification on it, Vonfeldt said they found $120 on the deceased.

"We are treating it like a drowning," said Vonfeldt.

The police were awaiting the findings of Clark County Coroner's office.

Sunshine ends record rain streak

Sunshine, with more sun on the way, has ended the most consecutive rainy days ever in Las Vegas.

Saturday was the record-setting 10th consecutive day with at least a trace of rain in the valley, National Weather Service Meteorologist Charlie Schlott said. The previous record of nine days was set in February 1941 and tied in July 1952 and February 1978.

Sunday's sunshine and high of 64 degrees ended the streak, the Weather Service reported. Slightly warmer temperatures are anticipated for the rest of the week.

Starting today and continuing into the weekend, Schlott said, temperatures are expected to rise into the mid- and upper-60s with nightime lows in the mid-40s.

"After all the rain there should be a little bit of a rest period -- something different," he said.