California woman dies in hit and run accident at Lake Tahoe casino district
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sat, 07/30/2011 - 3:26pm
A 60-year-old California woman was killed in a crosswalk in the Stateline, Lake Tahoe casino district early Saturday morning, and a 36-year-old man faces felony DUI and possible vehicular manslaughter charges, the Nevada Highway Patrol reports.
Joan Marie Hamrick of Valley Springs, Calif., died from injuries after being hit on Highway 50 in the casino district by a truck at 1:17 a.m. that was driven by David Ray Stephenson, 36, of Discovery Bay, Calif., said Trooper Daniel Lopez. Hamrick was airlifted from Kahle Park to Renown Regional Medical Center where she died Saturday.
The preliminary crash investigation details indicate that a unregistered silver Ford truck driven by Stephenson was traveling east on the highway. Stephenson struck Hamrick with his vehicle. Hamrick was crossing Highway 50 from the casinos in the crosswalk, Lopez said. Stephenson left the scene of the accident while a witness followed him down the street to Kahle Drive.
Authorities found the unoccupied truck and later Stephenson came out to his truck, Lopez said. Stephenson was arrested for felony DUI and due care and may face the additional vehicular manslaughter charge, Lopez said.
"It will be up to the district attorney," he said.
NHP's Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) will be investigating the accident. Witnesses to the event, or anyone with additional information, should contact Sergeant Scott Famer at (775) 689-4623 regarding case # NHP-1107300046.
