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twitter15-year-old charged in hit-and-run death of motorcyclist
Published Wednesday, July 1, 2009 | 3:31 a.m.
Updated Thursday, July 2, 2009 | 11:51 a.m.
Site of hit-and-run crash
A 15-year-old boy has been charged with felony hit and run with a death in one of two deadly motorcycle wrecks in the past two days.
The Las Vegas teen, whose name was not released, was arrested Wednesday in connection with a crash about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on Desert Inn Road in which a man was killed when his motorcycle was hit by a sport utility vehicle that left the scene, police said.
The 48-year-old motorcyclist has been identified as Thomas D. Wilson III of Springfield, Ill., a Clark County Coroner's Office spokeswoman said today.
Based on witness accounts and evidence at the scene, police said, an SUV pulling onto the road from an apartment complex hit the motorcycle, which was in the center eastbound lane of Desert Inn, near the intersection of Crystal Water Way.
The impact pushed the motorcycle, a 1993 Harley Davidson, into the path of a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse in the left eastbound lane, police said. Wilson was pinned under the front of the car, police said.
He was taken to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
On Wednesday, Metro Police say, they developed information about the driver and the location of the SUV, which had been described as a blue Cadillac Escalade or Chevrolet Avalanche. After the crash, police said, the SUV continued east on Desert Inn Road.
Police also are investigating an unrelated crash that also left a motorcyclist dead.
The latest crash occurred about 7:39 a.m. Wednesday when a motorcyclist died after a collision with a sport utility vehicle at Durango Drive and Sahara Avenue, police said.
Traffic was blocked at the intersection while traffic investigators examined the crash site. The victim's name has not been released.
Evidence at the scene and witness statements indicate a 205 Kawasaki EX500 motorcycle was going south on Durango Drive. A 2008 Hummer H3, driven by 75-year-old Heinz Ward of Las Vegas, was traveling north on Durango and made a left turn to go west onto Sahara Avenue, police said.
The Hummer’s driver made the turn and entered the southbound lanes of Durango, but the 26-year-old motorcyclist was unable to stop and struck the front of the Hummer, police said.
The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical crews responding to the crash. The driver of the Hummer was taken to University Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries.
No charges have been filed, but the investigation is ongoing, police said.
The collisions resulted in the 45th and 46th traffic deaths in Metro Police jurisdiction this year.
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PLEASE if you are driving in a car look over your shoulder once in a while,look BOTH ways before pulling out, motorcycles have the right to be on the road too.
Fellow Motorcyclists, please Google: Motorcycle headlight modulators...They cycle between high and low beam 3 times per second and draw immediate attention to you.
They literally can mean the difference between life and death.
RIP to my riding brothers.
I Heinz Ward isn't going to be suspended by the Steelers.
The kid will get serious jail time. The parents will get sued, big time. MC riders have little defense and protection against an SUV. These stories prove it, and this is why people will not give up their large vehicles to drive little cars. Small cars and motorcycles are death traps in this city. Plus add the DUI drivers. How come when I see the stupid mc drivers on the roadways driving reclessly, they seem to avoid death?
How sad, a 15 year old? What a waste of a life.
I grew up on the East coast so I'm not familiar with driving laws for teenagers here.
Can 15 year olds drive without an adult in the car here? If not were the suspect's parents with him or her?
I'm going to look into a headlight modulator for one of my family members that rides. I'm too scared to even drive a car here I own one but don't use it.
Attitude of L.V. Drivers;
ME FIRST! I AM IN A HURRY!
Focus on anything BUT driving.
Text or call someone, eat a meal, smoke, have a cup of coffee, check your email, apply your makeup, read a map, and whatever needs doing!
MUST GO FAST! I RACE from red light to red light, because I am completely clueless. And in between, I'll pass as many people as I can while not signaling. Because again, ME FIRST! I'm in a hurry!
On the freeway, anything goes. If you can go a hundred, go a hundred! And if you can't, get the hell out of my way. I am in a hurry here, people!!!
I do not know where I am going, or I am not paying attention, and my turn or exit ramp sneaks up on me.
But wait! I'm in the wrong lane! Oh well, I'll cut people off, cause an accident, who cares what, I AM IN A HURRY!
Last time I checked, 15 year olds are unable to obtain a drivers license. No wonder the kid left the scene.
These motorcyclist are a dangerous bunch. Every time I see one and I mean (EVERY TIME)they are riding between lanes past cars waiting for the light to change, the are cutting off and passing cars really close. and always speeding. I have to believe there are some responsible riders out there but I haven't seen one.
One of the first things I was taught while learning to ride was to ALWAYS be passing. If you sit in a lane and ride with traffic, being that small of a vehicle, drivers in larger cars will lose you in blind spots.
I understand that a lot of riders are a bit reckless, but passing is completely necessary.
LV4Life, you just read a story on 2 bikes that were hit by a wreckless teen and an older woman pulling into an intersection...look at how many cars are cutting people off on the way to work, that is a lot more than the number of motorcycles doing that. i ride, and i don't cut people off, i don't lane split. maybe you don't see the responsible riders cuz you don't notice people doing the right thing. when we pass and change lanes, we do not need as much room as cars do. im much more afraid of you driving than i am of other riders
gmag39 hit the nail on the head. We have a lot of people in NV (and really everywhere) who could care less about anyone but themselves. Unfortunately, idiots like this cause all our insurance rates to rise.
Our legislators decided that no-texting-while-driving, intersection cameras, and primary seat belt laws were unimportant. I'm not one for frivolous rules, but I wish they had the balls to give us handsfree cell, intersection cameras, and real seat belt laws, at least in Clark County. Please, I don't want to hear more whining from the "no nanny staters". My premiums for a 100% accident-free history are through the roof. Every day I narrowly miss getting hit by a red light runner or incessant yakker/texter.
While we're at it, I'd love some enforcement of the driving w/o insurance and license laws. Have multiple DUIs in NV? It appears it's OK to drive w/o a license until you kill someone. After the second DUI, make it a major felony. PUT DUI drivers in prison!
My cousin died on the harley and its sad that the 15 year old didn't care to stop to help, this kids life is now ruined and I hope that other people on the road slow it down. People are in such a hurry these days and are just worried about themselves. Where were the parents? Was this SUV stolen? I think they should increase the age of driving to 18. Atleast for some they would be a little more mature. I guess the parents of this kid will feel some grief, but not like the family of the victum. RIP Tommy
All motorcycle drivers are not idoits, what about all of the idoits in side of a cage with four wheels, they are just as stupid if not more stupid. People die in car accidents, its going to happen. People be alert, it may not be you that is an idoit, but watch for the ones that are.
You ride in this town your asking for it. People's heads in this town are some where else.
Take a trip around I-215 mid-afternoon or out toward Red Rock Canyon and see how many "cool riders" there are. Guys who have the high performance motorcycles, and going in excess of 85mph any time there's open road ahead.
I'm not saying they all drive like that, but this new idiotic younger generation is riding more for the thrill and power, and not for the appreciation of just being out "in the open" and respecting the laws of the road.
The motorcyclists who do drive recklessly and end up in accidents deserve to be in the situation they're in. They have neglected everyone around them.
Remember, bikers, we SHARE the road. Cars make mistakes too. We just always pay for it with our lives because we're in a safer vehicle. Perhaps you should try that too.
Or even better, just slow down and relax.
VegasVegas,
Thank you for showing the mentality of most. You just said you make mistakes, so do riders. the difference is many times we riders pay with our lives because of your mistakes, while you get to go on with your happy little life. if we share the road, then why are you not complaining about the 10 people that will change lanes and not signal on your way to work? what about the people that will change lanes even when im riding my bike in the lane next to them? or what about the idiots that try to drag race me at every light because i have a bike? grow up, you sound like you're mad at the "cool kids"
Just another teenager on his way to being another Las Vegas loser. My thoughts are with the family of each innocent victim riding their motorcycles.
A loss of a life is unfortunate, especially when something could have been done to avoid it. Time spent driving on Vegas roadways has made me realize that there is no consideration for other drivers. People drive like they have nine lives--it makes no sense.
Imagine if we had on-board cameras in our vehicles to witness driving infractions (i.e. failing to stop at posted stop sign, running red lights, illegal lane changes, driving on shoulder lane, driving too close to vehicle in front of you, etc.)--it could possibly be the end to this city's budget shortfall
Driving is a privilege, not a god given right.
please, grow up.
nothing is going to happen to that 15 year old. our liberal justice has ruined this country.
The name of the teen driver needs to be released. When you murder someone, despite your age, we have the right to know who they are!
To Stevem: in a conservative justice system, the reasoning would be that the motorcycle rider needed killin'! Afterall, he was driving a "foreign" motorcycle. That's unAmerican!
My brother, Thomas D. Wilson III (Tommy) named after my Dad and Grandpa was a one in a million guy! And, he was loved very much! My whole family is heartbroken! We are all in a state of shock about how this happened. We grew up riding motorcycles and Tom was a very experienced Harley driver. He had avoided many wrecks in his riding years! Until something like this happens to you personally, you have no idea how much it hurts. We are a close family that now has a piece of us missing, because someone killed our loved one and then left the scene of the accident or maybe I should say, scene of the crime! To me, this is much more than a felony charge! You took my brother away from me and my famiy! We won't ever get to see him again because of your stupid decision!
Tom was my brother and friend, I only wish that I could see his smiling face and hear his laugh again! We will always love you, Tom! We all miss you so very much!
I've known Tom for 26 years - he was a very dear friend to me and my ex, Jeff. My 25 year old twins have known him since birth - he was their "Uncle Tom". We will all miss him. I hope the Wilson family gets some justice out of this. Lindy and family - may you find peace and comfort knowing that an angel has been called home.
RIP Tommy - we will miss you.
It's a shame that the NEWS reports highly erroneous information. There should be a law that makes exploiting and slandering people illegal. Once again NEWS CRUELTY and INJUSTICE prevails. Reporters only care about their paychecks, not the lives of people. It's a demeaning Profession.
I'm sure the 15 year old is suffering enough from the incident, especially being that it wasn't done on purpose. Your justice is his suffering. DO you really think he's sitting away happy that his life has been taken along with the motorcyclists? The NEWS, unfortunately, DOES NOT report on the feelings of the 15 yr old driver. Let's be practical. This is a trajedy for both families. Sorry for your loss, he seemed like a wonderful person.
Like I said, I continue to react with utter DISGUST at how recklessly careless the MEDIA is in writing their stories. It's PATHETIC. Does anyone understand? IF not, then when it happens to you or someone you love, you will understand.
I'm considering practicing law, so that I can fully protect myself. This is a warning to ALL. Protect yourself because the media will ATTEMPT to eat you alive, without mercy.
Angel83 - FYI slander is only slander if the comments are not factual. It's a fact that this unlicensed 15 year old driver took an innocent man's life. No one ever stated it was intentional. But that fact is, he made the decision to get behind the wheel and drive, unlicensed. And you want us to feel sympathy for him? Get real. He's still alive and his family and friends aren't mourning his death. Get a grip, Angel83. Murder is murder, no matter how "sorry" the murderer is after the fact.
Wayculmom-Sorry to offend you. A little clarification::I'm not talking about slander in the 15 yr old crash story. I'm referring to the crash on Durango and Sahara. Forgiveness is a painful process. I'm sorry for the dear loss in each story, and for the pain that others involved are feeling.
Thank you for the clarification. Emotions run high during a time of great sorrow...
Tom Wilson was my roomate. We all miss him very much. He was on his way to work at City Center-finally back to work after being laid off for so long. I was the last one to see him-from my window as he pulled out of our driveway.
We all miss you tom-rest in peace my friend
shawn
My beautiful son - Robert "Robbie" Hicks was the 2nd person in this story that was killed. Now while I do not know all of the details to this senseless accident. He was a wonderful person with lots of potential. He moved to LV from Washington in 10/08 to grow personally & professionally. I want to believe in my heart that he was being a responsible motorcycle rider, but since he cannot defend himself, I will be left to always wonder. His father & I will grieve forever from this loss as he was our only child.