Wet day linked to more than 200 accidents

Mary Manning and David Kihara

Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005 | 9:24 a.m.

Metro Police and the Nevada Highway Patrol reported more than 200 collisions on Wednesday's rain-slicked roads, though one that sent an infant and child and to the hospital in critical condition was likely caused by drunken driving, not rain, authorities said.

A 2-month-old baby and a 6-year-old child were in critical condition at University Medical Center Wednesday night after the 1994 Dodge Caravan they were riding in was struck by a 1983 Chevrolet pickup truck. Police did not identify the injured children.

The collision occurred on Lake Mead Boulevard, west of La Salle Street in Las Vegas at 1:07 p.m., police said.

Witnesses told police the pickup truck was driving east on Lake Mead in the right lane and the Dodge Caravan, driven by Elsa Quinonez, was also traveling east when the van slowed to make a right turn into a private driveway.

The pickup struck the Dodge and it left the road, striking a light pole, police said. The pickup truck continued east and struck two parked and unoccupied vehicles.

The two children were taken to University Medical Center's Trauma Unit and another 9-year-old child and as well as Quinonez, 39, were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries, police said.

Ramon Macias-Gonzalez, 51, the driver of the pickup truck considered responsible for the incident, was arrested on a DUI charge, police said. The Las Vegas resident was taken to the Clark County Detention Center. He was not injured in the accident.

In a separate incident the same day, a man who was trying to run across Interstate 15 at the Russell Road exit was hit and seriously injured by a minivan going at least 60 mph, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

The victim, who was not identified, was taken to UMC Trauma. He was listed in critical condition, but authorities said they were not sure if he would survive.

Joey Hernandez, 25, was driving southbound in the far left lane on I-15 at about 6:45 p.m. when the man, apparently trying to run across the freeway, lunged in front of his car.

"He just ran in front of my car," Hernandez said. "I yelled 'no, no, no,' but he didn't stop."

The man was attempting to run from east to west, and it was unknown if he had already crossed the northbound side of the freeway.

The victim shattered the windshield of Hernandez's 1996 Chrysler minivan when he hit the car and damaged the front of the vehicle. Hernandez's hands were cut by the broken glass.

"Since it was wet out, I wasn't driving too fast, but the guy ran in front of me," Hernadez said.

Sgt. Dave Dudley of the Nevada Highway Patrol said no charges will be filed against Hernandez.