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Published Monday, June 14, 2010 | 7:44 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, June 15, 2010 | 11:27 a.m.
Fatal crash
A 20-year-old man was killed in a single-car crash in the eastern valley Monday evening after the vehicle he was riding in struck a large water control system, police said.
Police said the driver of a southbound 2004 Mazda RX-8 left Hollywood Boulevard just before 6 p.m. south of Lake Mead Boulevard. The vehicle slid off the right side of the road and its front struck a water manifold, which police said caused significant damage to the car.
Police said the driver, identified as Johnathon James Murray, 22, of Las Vegas, and passenger were transported to University Medical Center, where the passenger was pronounced dead. The passenger was identified Tuesday by the Clark County Coroner's Office as 20-year-old David Ritzer, of Las Vegas.
Murray was treated for moderate injuries, police said. Investigators are trying to determine what caused him to lose control of the car.
This is the 34th traffic-related fatality this year in Metro Police jurisdiction.
the passenger is, was my brother, if anyone has details of this accident or can name who was responsible i am offering a $300 reward..contact me at dominicritzer20@yahoo.com
The driver was seriously injured... Several broken bones including spine and face, we are hoping to get him into surgery first thing in the morning. RIP to your brother! I'm sure he was amazing. My prayers go out to both family's.
I am wondering why you need to offer a reward. Are you thinking that someone else was involved? The paper has written this up as a one vehicle crash.
First of all the guy you are calling a "killer" is not named james his name is johnathon and it was a accident. He would have never dreamed of hurting his best friend. Im sorry for your loss and im sure the pain is unbearable. But now is the time you need to stick together not point fingers. my prayers are with your family and johns.
Each of us make mistakes in our lives that will change our courses forever, this was a horrible accident. I will pray for David's family and for my cousin. John is a great person careing, thoughtful, highly motivated and I know it will take him years to get through this horrible time, he is NOT the type who would EVER intentionally hurt anyone. My heart goes out to everyone who will be suffering with these losses forever.
People that post on these newspaper sites are always so quick to judge as to who was responsible and how it should be handled... to the person asking for the reward, can you be serious? $300 to find out "who is responsible" as if you plan on doing something if someone can say he was driving wrecklessly... everyone is in mourning and deeply saddened by what happened....not just your family. i feel awful that anyone has to ever go through this... especially Davids parents...nobody ever wants their child to pass before they do...johnathan will have to carry this on his shoulders for a long time and it will take a while before he will ever be able to cope with what happened... heck he may never be able to... but accusations or assumptions arent necesarry... may god bless both of the families as they struggle to get passed this tragedy...
dominicritzer20 are you freaking serious dude! First of all $300.00 is nothing, second what do you suspect happened, the driver was was forced to turn the wheel at gunpoint and crash into a water manifold?
Jonathon James Murray was responsible since he was the driver, now can I have my $300.00?
I understand the sentiment of wanting to offer a reward for information from any potential witnesses to the accident; however, testimony received from a paid witness is undesireable and probably not legal.
How about instead of harassing the victim's brother, you can ALL see where he and his family are coming from? That would be more helpful than being a hypocrite and also pointing fingers.
Kuntakente, congrats on racially profiling yourself. Just because of the user name you chose I guess the editors just KNEW the color of your skin - omgoodness - what next?? This is a story of a young man who lost his life and you turn it into a racial issue - shame on you.
Condolences to both families.
azsk8fan- Agreed. Thank you. I know the victim's family pretty well, and they would appreciate better responses than these.
The victim was a bright, fun, loving and an incredible individual. He didn't deserve to have his life end this fast, accidents do happen but attacking individuals or making this about you is not important or relevant.
Listen to everyone who is make dumb comments towards johnathon and david's family you guys need to stop! I'm sure that it is hard for david's family to lose their son and brother and i can't imagine how much hurt they are feeling but Johnathon's family is hurting just think if it was your brother or son or cousin or grandson how would you feel! How about we just stop make dumb comments and keep them and their family in our thoughts and prayers. Stop pointing fingers at johnathon just because he was the driver it was an accident. Accidents happens and people get hurt but we need to support each other in this hard times and be there for each other. please keep everybody in your thoughts and prayers. Johnathon we love you and are praying for you! To daivd's family i'm sorry about your loss and you all are in my thoughts and prayers. thank you
It isn't anyones fault. Accidents happen, and everything happens for a reason even if it doesn't make any sense. Johnathons my brother and he would never purposly hurt someone especially his bestfriend. I'm really sorry David got his life taken, and i can hardly imagine how his family must feel, but David wouldn't want you to blame his bestfriend for it and harrass him. Johnathon will already have this on his shoulders for the rest of his life; blaming him will only make it worse, and i doubt David would want that. Please don't do anything stupid you'll regret. Just take time to think it over. Like i said David wouldn't want all this.. I'm sorry for his family and all his friends. RIP David
i agree with lorri! it is not anyone fault accident do happen johnathon is my cousin and i know he would never hurt anyone on purpose david was his best friend and like lorri said think about it do you really think that david would want you guys talking about his best friend like you are? i don't really know david but i'm sure that he wouldn't like people talking about johnathon like that. RIP daivd and my heart goes out to his family and jhonathon you get better and come home soon.
Will you just shut up! This article has absolutely nothing to do with race! Its about the very tragic death of a young man. They can be as racist as they want, I DONT CARE! Its not relevant to this at all, that is how they need to pick what stays on here. If thats how it went I dont think one of your posts would still be on here. Now with that out of the way, Rest in Peace David, you will be missed by many. And Jonathan, hang in there buddy. I'll be in Vegas soon.
Thank you jherd for what you said i couldn't have said it better myself. johnathon i hope you get better soon! LOVE YOU:) RIP DAVID
I, too, am saddened at the loss of life and for the burden Mr. Murray must carry for the rest of his life. However, I must point out to everyone who is automatically claiming that this was an "accident" that they are assuming Mr. Murray wasn't driving recklessly and are as guilty of jumping to conclusions as are the people accusing him of being responsible. Until the police release the results of their investigation, everyone should reserve judgement of whether this was a preventable, reckless act or truly an "accident".
That being said, while I will be interested to know the results of the police investigation, it would surprise me greatly if they conclude that Mr. Murray is not at fault and it was truly an accident. The reason I would be surprised with a finding that Mr. Murray is not responsible for Mr. Ritzer's death is because according to friends who live near Mr. Murray, he is well known among residents of his neighborhood for his reckless driving antics. He would essentially thumb his nose at anyone who had the audacity to tell him to stop driving like a lunatic on the quiet neighborhood streets, making a point of squealing his tires in front of the homes of people who objected to his behavior.
I am not calling for his head on a platter. I am not demanding harsh physical retribution. But I am hoping and praying that whatever the results of the investigation, that justice be served if justice is due. If there was some sort of mechanical malfunction that caused an accident (the only way I can see this as being called an "accident"), then the manufacturer should be held responsible. However, if it is determined that Mr. Murray is responsible, then he should answer for the preventable loss of life (NOT an accident).
Remember everyone, speed kills. Reckless driving is as irresponsible as drunk driving, and should carry at least the same penalties.
According to Webster, the definition on accident is an unfortunate event resulting especially from carelessness or ignorance. It is suspected that Mr. Murray was speeding. It is also suspected that Mr. Ritzer was not wearing his seat belt. This would put both men at risk. If Mr. Murray's reckless driving was well known, it was Mr. Ritzer's choice to enter the vehicle that tragic night.
Here is the bottom line. Both families love the two young men and are hurting. The two men were best friends. They lived together and Mr. Ritzer was dating Mr. Murray's cousin. The two families are closely intertwined. Pointed fingers will not help either family cope with this event. Support and prayers/well-wishes are always in shortage. Please stop with the useless comments that will only tear down these two mourning families and start offering support. One has gone to a better place, while the other faces hell on Earth.
Mr. Ritzer, may you rest in peace. Mr. Murray, I wish you a speedy recovery both physically and mentally. To both families, I send my deepest regrets and best wishes in your time of loss.
there will be justice.
it maddens me that anyone can feel the slightest bit of sympathy for the guy who killed my brother.. he had a fast car.. he drove crazy.. last time i was in the car with him he was going 100mph down a 40 on vegas valley.. there is no doubt in my mind he was driving crazy that day... why?? just to look cool in your fast car?.. if he doesn't serve jail-time for what happened that will surprise me.. and on top of all of this to ask for his phone back so he can give it to his new girlfriend.. who only got back together with him to be a part of the drama.. and for sympathy.. never has anything to say about my brother.. all he cares about is when he is gonna get out of his wheelchair.. so just like dominic says.. "there will be justice!" and im not gonna stop until there is.
Again, Webster defines accident as "an unfortunate event resulting especially from carelessness or ignorance". According to Webster.com justice is "the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments". "Punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense" is vengeance. Dominic and Danny what you are searching for is vengeance not justice. Neither will help you sleep at night or bring your brother back. I am sorry for your loss. You are not the only one's who were hurt by this accident.
Both David and Danny lived with Johnathon for several months prior to the accident. However, neither paid rent regardless of how many times they were asked. Johnathon purchased two phones, one for him and the other for David because he was unable to obtain one on his own. As both phones are his, he has the right to ask for the phone back and those who have it are obligated to give it back. After the accident, while Johnathon was still in the hospital, Danny was using Johnathon's house as party central. Johnathon's family had to come home from the hospital and clean up the huge mess that Danny and his friends disrespectfully left behind. Johnathon and his cousin are receiving disturbing and hateful messages left by Danny on their phones and on facebook. Where is the justice in that?
justice will come from a long prison term served by johnathon.. he doesn't care that he killed my brother.. he will feel remourse in prison.. he wants the phone to give to his girlfriend.. a phone he purchased.. but david payed him for.. not for a rememberance for david.. justice will be served.. trust me when i say this..
My trust is in God, not in you. I will pray for you and your family during this time of sadness. I pray your brother's memory is not disgraced by your definition of justice.
"realitycheck" these are Johnathon Murray's words to everyone on facebook: Thank you all verynmuch for your support. Davd ritzer, idk what to say man. I love you bro. Will always miss you.
June 15 at 8:52pm via Facebook for Android
For someone that's just killed a beautiful loving young innocent human, "supposed best friend", you would think he would spell his name right first of all. Two, "idk,"I don't know", what to say man" ...Really? that wasn't to David. That was only to the people that loved David so he wouldn't look so bad of a guy. Those words of his are not sincere what so ever! it doesn't take a writing analyzer specialist to figure that out. To support that fact, he goes on with his life so normally with all his facebook updates/whatever you call it and a new girlfriend.. Really? Does anyone see any compassion there? I didn't kill David, but I basically stopped my life as soon as I found out. in other words I haven't moved on. Johnathan never moved on because he has Zero compassion for David or anyone he has hurt in his reckless actions! And FYI, I was definitely around long enough in that house to know Johnathan WAS a reckless driver, who absolutely never had ANY concern for his passengers!!! That is a fact!!!!!! Give him a lie detector test! I bet a million he will flunk.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1...
Johnathan's facebook website. The only bothersome thing in his life you will see him talking about is allll the pain he's in now. If I were him, I wouldn't be complaining looking for sympathy. I don't believe any right-minded human would as a matter of fact.
Indeed there will be justice. Everyone will see to it too. MARK MY WORDS
& when I say Johnathan never moved on, I meant he never moved on from David or anyone feeling pain from his careless behavior because he has Zero Empathy. Therefore the only thing to move on from is his physical pain which is precisely obvious and clear to anyone intuitively interpreting his words and actions at any time of any day.
When the post on Johnathon's facebook account was written, he was under the influence of strong pain medication to assist him in dealing with both the physical and emotional injuries obtained from the accident. As you have shown, his words can be used against him. Why should he publicly show he is grieving when you and others like you will twist his words? He posts simple everyday things and nothing emotional or meaningful. Did he post about all the family that traveled from a far to see him and help him through this trying time? No. Does that mean they should take it as him not caring? Of course not! Not everyone uses facebook as their own public diary.
Each person grieves in their own way. He has chosen to grieve privately and attempt to continue living as David would wish for him. You have chosen to wrongfully place blame and stop your life. Your actions bring shame on David's wonderful memory. He would not want lives to stop. David once told me that he would not live to see his 21st birthday. Because of that belief and the nightmares he had about it, he lived each day as his last. Can you say that you are doing the same? Consumed with hate is no way to live or honor David's life. I will continue to pray for you.
ok first of all are all you kidding me! get a freakin grip! who was there for david when he needed a ride after getting 6 tickets in one day! who was there for him when he was on house arrest but still wanted to play rock band? who was always there for him when he needed someone just to talk to and hang out? JOHN! So give me a break! get out of your stubborn ridiculous angry grief stage and take a reality check! john was davids best friend and brother and david would be pissed off at all of those who are wishing harm or "justice" on john. instead of accusing john of being so ok with this, has anyone ever thought to ask him to really see how he is holding up? all you judgemental people are not the only one who lost someone. john lost his best friend and his soul mate. so give me a break!
he lost his best friend?? are you kidding me?? he killed his best friend.. and justice will be served.. like a cold knife in the heart.. to johnathons family.. you better get all the time in to see him now.. cause when sh*$ hits he fan, your gonna miss him.. and i am strangely comfortable with this..
WE CANT BELIEVE OUR SWEET BEAUTIFUL DAVID HAS REALLY BEEN TAKEN FROM US BY SUCH A CARELESS HORRIBLE HUMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNEW IN MY GUT AND HEART JOHN WAS BAD NEWS!!! ;'(
DAVID HAS CHANGED SO MANY LIVES, AND WAS WRONGFULLY KILLED!
WE'LL SEE YOU IN HEAVEN SWEET BABY
WE LOVE YOU DAVID MICHAEL RITZER
SOO MUCH!!!!!!
soooooo muucchhhh :'( sooo muuuuch
sooooooooooooooooooooo sooo soooo sooooooooo much!