Hearing for man accused in relay runner’s death postponed

By Tiffany Gibson

Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009 | 7:12 p.m.

Joshua Salayich

Courtesy Ragnar Relay Series

Jeremy Kunz and his wife, Melinda, at the Ragnar Relay Las Vegas starting line.

The preliminary hearing for a 25-year-old Henderson man accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and fatally striking a relay runner was delayed Wednesday in justice court.

This is the second time the preliminary hearing in the case against Joshua Salayich has been postponed. Salayich’s attorney, Michael Van, said the hearing was delayed because both counsels are still collecting information about the case. He would not specify what kind of information.

But Deputy District Attorney Eric Bauman said he isn’t collecting any information and is ready to move forward. He said the hearing was delayed because Salayich is considering his options, which include waiving his right to a preliminary hearing and moving the case to district court, where he could enter a plea agreement.

Salayich was arrested Oct. 10 after police said he lost control of his vehicle and struck a relay runner in Henderson. He is charged with driving under the influence with death, leaving the scene of an accident and resisting an officer.

Justice of the Peace Stephen George this morning set a status check for 9 a.m. on Dec. 8. If Salayich waives his right to a preliminary hearing, the case will be bound over to district court.

“This case has been tentatively resolved,” Bauman said. “Things can change, but I’m as confident as I can be.”

Bauman said he expects Salayich will plead guilty to DUI manslaughter; Van said a plea agreement hadn’t been negotiated.

Investigators said Salayich’s car went onto the shoulder of the road near Horizon Ridge Parkway and Stephanie Street and struck 33-year-old Jeremy Kunz of Kamas, Utah.

Kunz died of several blunt force traumatic injuries received during the collision, the coroner's office said. The death was officially ruled an accident.

Salayich, who suffered minor injuries, is accused of running from the car after he allegedly struck Kunz. Officers caught him about half a mile from the scene and took him to the Henderson jail, reports said.

Kunz was one of about 2,400 people taking part in the 180-mile Ragnar Relay run from Valley of Fire State Park to Red Rock Resort.

Salayich remains in custody at the Clark County Detention Center on bail set at $125,000. His attorney today asked for a bail reduction – a motion Bauman opposed and the justice of the peace denied.