News briefs for Sept. 20, 2005

Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2005 | 9:54 a.m.

Teen hit by vehicle on way to school

A 14-year-old believed to have been headed to school was struck by a vehicle this morning on Craig Road near Simmons Street, about a block away from Cheyenne High School.

The teen14-year-old was taken to UMC but sustained only minor injuries, said Sean Walker, spokesman for the North Las Vegas Police.

Walker was not aware this morning if the youth was male or female.

The teen was hit at around 7 a.m. while crossing in a designated crosswalk on a bicycle on Craig Road, he said.

The traffic light turned green while the youth was in the crosswalk, he said. The driver did not see the teen, Walker said.

The driver was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian, he said.

Suicide, homicide victims identified

The Clark County Coroner's office on Monday identified the victims in an apparent suicide and homicide as Robert Arthur Winter, 25, and Brandy Rae Bonney, 25.

Winter allegedly shot and killed Bonney and then himself on Friday at the Pyramid Apartments at 7055 E. Lake Mead Blvd.

The coroner's office determined that Winter died from suicide while Bonney died from homicide.

Metro Police previously reported that Bonney was 22 years old.

Apartment units damaged in fire

Eight apartment units at a complex on Flamingo Road and Tamarus Street were damaged in an early-morning fire Sunday and three people were treated for smoke inhalation.

Clark County Fire Department firefighters arrived about 5:45 a.m. to the apartment complex. Fire investigators determined that an unattended candle started the blaze that caused $250,000 in damage to the eight units.

Neighbors helped an elderly woman from her apartment. A pet cat died in the blaze.

The American Red Cross Southern Nevada chapter and the apartment managers helped the displaced residents.

Supreme Court grants appeal

Troy S. Johnson, sentenced to seven to 20 years for the death of a person directing traffic at a construction site in Las Vegas, is going to get a chance to lodge his appeal.

The Nevada Supreme Court ruled Friday that Johnson's attorney was ineffective for failing to file a direct appeal after a conviction of driving under the influence and causing death and bodily harm.

Johnson maintained he wanted to appeal his conviction but his trial attorney refused, saying he would not file frivolous motions.

The court directed the District Court to name a new attorney for Johnson to prepare an appeal of the conviction.

Authorities said Johnson was responsible for a five-car pileup on Jones Boulevard in May 2002, killing Lezlee Johnson, 42, who was directing traffic and injuring Elizabeth Clark, 32. Johnson, the victim, was not related to the driver.

Death Valley volunteers sought

The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are looking for volunteers to serve in Death Valley National Park.

Death Valley contains a unique piece of land known as Devil's Hole within the borders of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

The Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service formed a partnership to build a core of qualified, dedicated volunteers to assist with the tasks of protecting natural resources such as rare fish and plants.

Both Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge need qualified volunteers.

Representatives of the Park Service and the Wildlife Service will meet area residents interested in becoming volunteers from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Pahrump Community Library located on East Street.