News briefs for July 22, 2005

Friday, July 22, 2005 | 11:09 a.m.

Suspect sought in hit-and-run

The Nevada Highway Patrol is searching for a 27-year-old Las Vegas man in connection with a hit-and-run wreck that critically injured a bicyclist near Red Rock Canyon on Wednesday.

Troopers have an arrest warrant for Michael Reich, alleging that he was hauling scrap metal on State Route 159 when his truck drifted onto the shoulder and hit Don Albietz, an off-duty Metro Police officer.

Reich pulled over, got out of the truck then drove off without calling 911, Trooper Angie Chavera said.

Witnesses gave troopers the license plate number of the truck and it was located Wednesday in Reich's driveway at his home. The trailer with the scrap metal was found Thursday morning.

Reich is wanted for felony hit and run causing bodily injury and related misdemeanors.

Anyone who knows Reich's whereabouts is asked to call the Highway Patrol at 486-4100.

Jaywalker injured on Flamingo Road

A jaywalker was injured after being hit about 10:40 a.m. Thursday by a pickup truck on Flamingo Road near Boulder Highway, Metro Police said.

Brenda Mauer, 39, of Las Vegas was trying to cross Flamingo outside of a crosswalk when she walked into the path of a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Tracy Vickery, 41, of Las Vegas.

Mauer was taken to Sunrise Hospital to be treated for serious injuries. Police said pedestrian error appears to be the cause of the collision.

$30,000 raised for military families

Area engineering firms were to present $30,000 today that will be used to assist families with military personnel serving abroad.

The engineering firms, including Carter & Burgess Inc., will present the checks to the Military Families Assistance Program, which helps out Nevada Army National Guard units' families living in Southern Nevada, said Tuesday Perkins, a committee member of the assistance program.

The organization provides the families with food and other household expenses.

"We have many men and women currently deployed from our city and state who have left behind families and jobs to fight for our country," Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson said in a news release. "I have personally met many of these families and know firsthand the hardships they experience."

Those interested in donating can send donations to the Henderson Community Foundation Military Families Assistance Program.

Checks should be made payable to: Henderson Community Foundation. 2200 Paseo Verde Parkway, Suite 200, Henderson, NV 89074.

Guard sergeant to get Purple Heart

A sergeant in the Army National Guard will receive a Purple Heart in a ceremony in Las Vegas Saturday for suffering a shrapnel wound in Iraq in 2003.

Sgt. Jeremiah McLoughlin will be recognized for distinguished service with the 72nd Military Police Company that is headquartered in Henderson. He is the fourth soldier from the company to receive the Purple Heart.

McLoughlin, 27, suffered injuries on Aug. 20, 2003, when an explosive device placed by the enemy detonated near his vehicle. The unit was performing prisoner of war operations.

He remains on military orders performing a security mission in Las Vegas, guarding the armory.

The 7:30 a.m. ceremony is at the guard's armory, 6400 N. Range Road in the north end of the Las Vegas Valley.

Driver dies after collision with van

A driver died Thursday morning after a making a left turn in front of a van in North Las Vegas, police said.

The 1989 Mercury Tracer was heading west on Lake Mead Boulevard about 10:35 a.m. when the driver attempted a left turn onto Belmont Street. The Mercury collided with a 1998 Ford van traveling east on Lake Mead, police said.

Police said the driver of the van, Ruben Ruiz, had a green light. Police are still investigating the collision but believe alcohol may have been a factor.

The Tracer driver, whose name was taken to University Medical Center and later died. The driver, whose name was not released, was not wearing a safety belt, police said.