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Minivan passenger in Las Vegas killed as he pushed cyclist to her death

Police are hunting for driver of vehicle, who may face murder charge

A minivan passenger in Las Vegas who pushed a cyclist from her bike, killing her, was himself killed after he fell out of the vehicle.

The incident happened at around 7.30am yesterday morning in the east of the city in Nevada, reports the Review Journal.

According to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Police Department, witnesses described how the driver of the minivan appeared to have been racing with other vehicles.

The passenger was said to have stuck his body out of the vehicle and attempted to strike a couple walking on the sidewalk.

One of them described how he heard the engine “rev up,” adding that he and his wife were able to get out of the way.

The occupant of the minivan then pushed a cyclist from her bike. The rider, a woman aged in her mid-50s, died at the scene of injuries sustained when she fell.

Meanwhile, in pushing the woman, the minivan’s passenger fell out of the vehicle and slid along the road surface for around 150 feet before his head struck a lamppost, killing him.

Homicide Lieutenant Ray Spencer said: “Senseless is an understatement.

“There’s no reason behind, that I can tell you, as to why it occurred – other than complete stupidity.”

Homicide detectives were called to the scene by crash investigators who had interviewed witnesses, he explained.

“What has made this a homicide investigation is the intentional act of him sticking his body out the window, striking the bicyclist and killing her.”

The driver of the minivan – like the passenger, a male aged between 18-22 years – fled the scene and is being sought by police.

He could potentially face a murder charge, with Lt Spencer saying that he deliberately drove the vehicle close to both the pair of pedestrians and the woman who had been cycling.

Officers are continuing their investigation.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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14 comments

Avatar
ChrisB200SX | 4 years ago
2 likes

This week's nomination for a Darwin Award

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Rick_Rude | 4 years ago
4 likes

Home of the brave......

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brooksby | 4 years ago
7 likes

Are we allowed to say something like "You reap what you sow" on this one?  

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Organon replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
0 likes

Instant karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon you're gonna be dead - John Lennon

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PRSboy | 4 years ago
18 likes

How can this poor woman's family ever come to terms with their loved one dying because of someone's prank.  I hope the net is closing on the driver, so at least there can be some due process of justice.

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andystow replied to PRSboy | 4 years ago
11 likes

The driver has now been arrested and is potentially facing a murder charge.

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Housecathst replied to andystow | 4 years ago
2 likes

andystow wrote:

The driver has now been arrested and is potentially facing a murder charge.

 

In the uk would this even get a careless driving charge for the driver. Guess its a somewhat mute point as they'd be unlikely to even be able to identify the driver. 

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to Housecathst | 4 years ago
3 likes

Housecathst wrote:

In the uk would this even get a careless driving charge for the driver. Guess its a somewhat mute point as they'd be unlikely to even be able to identify the driver. 

Probably not, although it can and should be chased. If you have passed close enough to someone on a bike for a passenger to assault them you are clearly endangering them in any case

The identification of the driver is moot as the keeper of the vehicle is (supposedly) legally required to identify them

Avatar
Tom_77 replied to Housecathst | 4 years ago
3 likes

Housecathst wrote:

andystow wrote:

The driver has now been arrested and is potentially facing a murder charge.

 

In the uk would this even get a careless driving charge for the driver. Guess its a somewhat mute point as they'd be unlikely to even be able to identify the driver. 

I think in the UK this would count as Joint Enterprise / Common Purpose. If the driver and passenger have acted together with a common plan, then they are both guilty of the same crime (in the UK manslaughter might be more likely than murder).

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Jenova20 replied to Housecathst | 4 years ago
1 like

Housecathst wrote:

andystow wrote:

The driver has now been arrested and is potentially facing a murder charge.

 

In the uk would this even get a careless driving charge for the driver. Guess its a somewhat mute point as they'd be unlikely to even be able to identify the driver. 

 

In the UK the police probably wouldn't have bothered investigating until the incident got significant media coverage.

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duc888 | 4 years ago
14 likes

Thoughts out to the cyclist and family, but it's only gene pool cleansing to the minivan passenger.

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NZ Vegan Rider replied to duc888 | 4 years ago
7 likes

What a incredibly sad way for the woman to die ;-(

Stupid driver and passenger "Senseless is an understatement."

If only he'd missed her then fallen out of the vehicle....

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Philh68 replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 4 years ago
4 likes

If only he'd not done it in the first place, there'd be two people still alive.

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Projectcyclingf... replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 4 years ago
0 likes

Much too kind to call them "stupid"
I expect this is NOT their 1st malicious attack on vulnerable groups not protected by being inside a car or truck.
Therefore, calling these murderous thugs: SADISTIC ANTI-CYLIST COWARDICE MONSTERS, is more fitting.

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