Woman in Las Vegas Blvd. crosswalk struck, killed

Saturday, July 26, 2008 | 10:16 a.m.

A 19-year-old woman was struck and killed as she tried to cross Las Vegas Boulevard South at East Wigwam Avenue in a marked crosswalk at 8:56 p.m. Friday, Metro Police said.

A 2001 Chevy Tahoe, driven by 38-year-old Angelo Hurst of Detroit, Mich., was traveling south on Las Vegas Boulevard when the crash occurred, police said.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner's office will release her identity after next of kin have been notified.

The Chevy Tahoe driver was charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, police said. This is the 68th fatality in Metro's jurisdiction this year.

Discussion: 14 comments so far…

By Lenny_V

7/26/08 at 6:51 p.m.

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Killing someone on a crosswalk should not be a freakin misdemeanor.
By uglygirl

7/27/08 at 12:06 a.m.

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It is so sad when you so walk in a crosswals and still get killed. People don't even slow down as it is when yeilding for a pedestrian. They are in such a rush and want to get head of the pedestrian. They can't wait until the person gets on the other side before they move along the to frive while the pedestrian is still in the crosswalk! Please people get real and WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, UNTIL THE PERSON GET A CROSS, YOU MORONS!! I know it's illegaly and dangerous to avoid the crosswalk, but the police should wonder why people don't!. I know it's stupid to say but people don't like to slow down regaurdless! Yesterday, I was at jerry's nugget, and these people were trying to get across in the crosswalk lane to the other side and know one and I mean know one would stop. So, here comes a police suv, and he turned on his lights and made all the cars stop and he YELLED OUT REAL LOUD WHERE EVERYONE HEARD HIM; HE SAID YOU PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO STOP FOR THESE PEOPLE TRYING TO CROSS IN THE CROSSWALK BUT ONCE I TURN ON MY LIGHTS YOU WANT TO STOP. HWE WAS FURIOUS AND THATS WHAT HE HAD SAID, AND IT WAS TRUE. I HAVE ALWAYS WAITED FOR PEOPLE TO CROSS IT'S COMMON COURTESY AND THE LAW. I WANT PEOPLE TO DO THE SAME FOR ME, IT THAT WAS TRUE WE WOULD BE GOOD TO GO, WOULDN'T WE.
By William

7/27/08 at 9:25 a.m.

Suggest removal

I'm sorry that she and others die in crosswalks.

Perhaps it should be written on her tombstone,
"I had the rightaway!"

Too many people gamble in crosswalks and lose.
By JB4919

7/27/08 at 2:47 p.m.

Suggest removal

This young lady was using the crosswalk. That is more than 90% of pedistrians in this town do. There is no excuse for calling it a misdeameanor to hit someone in a crosswalk. End of sentence. Everyday, as I criss-cross Las Vegas, people walk out between cars and causually stroll across the street, drive their little electric wheelchairs and push their baby strollers into the streets ahead of themselves off the curb first half-way down the block or drag the kids with them teaching them it is ok to jay walk. This girl was doing the right thing. Put this guy in jail.Penalize the jaywalkers more severely.Don't do the HO, Hum, oh somebody else died? Oh well...
By layap123

7/27/08 at 9:39 p.m.

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that was my my cousin/neice mr.hurst! our family will do everything we can to make sure you pay for what you have done. You took an innocent life who had a beautiful singing voice. She was loved by all of her family members.
By madam_mariposa

7/28/08 at 12:19 a.m.

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First and foremost we are all very sad about what had happened on Friday, July 25th. I was present after the incedent, and it was very devistating. The driver of the suv didnt see the victom untill it was too late, Even though there are flashing lights, caution pedestrians, ect. He did stop, was very remorsefull, and is ready to take responciblity for his actions.
Like the victiom, I live here on Wigwam and S LV Blvd. This is one of the most difficult streets to cross at any time of the day. I have gotten honked at for trying to cross and have gotten stuck in the middle of the street because no one wanted to stop for me. It is very dangerious and I would rather jaywalk a little farther down the street to cross.
From what I have heard, She is not the first one to lose her life here at this intersection. She is the 6th. How many more lifes have to be lost, how may more car collisions have to occure to see that it is dangerious intersection? We need a traffic light here! Plain and simple.
I had also witnessed an accident on the 4th of July.I was walking with my 4 younger siblings, 5,6,7,and 16, with our dog on the side walk. A drunk driver driving north bound turning in the left turn lane to go onto W. Wigwam decided to pull infront of on comming traffic. One of my younger brothers was almost struck by the glass of the drunk drivers car.
I have lived here for almost 2 years in this location and I know (just like everyone else in this neighborhood) THERE NEEDS TO BE A TRAFFIC LIGHT!!! PLEASE SAVE SOME LIFES AND LETS CUT DOWN CAR COLLISIONS.
DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS, PLEASE PAY ATTENTION. IT IS ILLEGAL TO NOT STOP FOR A PEDESTRIAN IN A CROSSWALK.
By tak020269

7/28/08 at 6:23 a.m.

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I have also used this crosswalk many times and have been stranded in the middle of the road as cars refuse to stop for me. I am sad to hear that there was a fatality. Is driver education at fault, the lack of a traffic light or the speed limit on this part of the blvd? Something needs to be done so no more lives are lost.
By BugMeTons

7/28/08 at 2:11 p.m.

Suggest removal

A light should be installed at this crosswalk. How many more have to die, and how many more have to endure the pain of killing before something is done?
this situation is not easy on anybody, The victim and her family have the worst end of it.
but also the person driving the truck will have to live with this forever.
By MARIEPOPA

7/29/08 at 8:19 a.m.

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We've just heard the news here in California & will dearly miss Verlaine. She attended Santa Fe High with my kids & they all sang in Choir together. I can only say that her beautiful voice will be heard from heaven now. Can someone let us know funeral arrangements please? There are many people here who would like to attend.
By layap123

7/29/08 at 3:02 p.m.

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hey, mariepopa i was her cousin/niece i do know the funeral arangments comment back on this page.
By OneLove

7/31/08 at 8:56 a.m.

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RIP Verlaine. I had the opportunity to meet Verlaine and chat with her... our mutual love of Bob Marley and both being from NORWALK brought us together at her job just by chance! Shes a lovely young woman taken from us too early! She will be missed by all. I live at Wigwam and LV Blvd too! That is by far one of the most dangerous intersections in our valley! I have said for FIVE years we NEED a light there! I drove by as Verlaine lay in the street guarded by strangers who stopped to help her! They also deserve praise for the efforts to help out! The candle light vigil was beautiful! WE MISS YOU VERLAINE! Rest in Peace ONE LOVE!
By madam_mariposa

7/31/08 at 10:39 p.m.

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TO ALL: PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION ON THE CORNER OF LVBLVD N WIGWAM FOR THE STREET LIGHT! I HAVE SIGNED IT ALREADY AND I HOPE THAT YOU ALL DO AS WELL. R.I.P. VERLAINE, I have never met you but I am VERY devistated at what has happend!.
By melissafgarcia

8/3/08 at 12:45 p.m.

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TO ALL:

Please assist the family in their request to install a stoplight at the intersection immediately, before another life is taken away and another family feels the horror of losing such a young life.

Please sign this petition in loving memory of VERLAINE MAY POWLESS.

May's family and friends sincerely thank you for your assistance and prayers during this tragic time.

PLEASE SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION @ http://www. ipetitions. com/petition/VerlaineMayPowless

THANK YOU!
By melissafgarcia

8/3/08 at 8:49 p.m.

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Please visit VERLAINE MAY POWLESS' memorial website at 'http://verlainemaypowless.memory-of.com'

Thank you!