Test results show that the female driver of the dark red GMC Acadia SUV that struck and killed two Hobbs residents at the intersection of Fremont and 4th Street in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, at about 7:40 pm, on Wednesday, December 28, had a blood-alcohol level of almost twice the State of Nevada’s legal limit.
The two victims of the “hit-and-run” tragedy have been identified as William Clayton Baxter Jr., age 44, and Kristie Eileen Baxter, age 51, both of Hobbs.
In a press release “… authorities said evidence at the scene, witness statements and video surveillance of the crash indicate that the two people were crossing the intersection against a ‘don’t cross’ pedestrian signal from east to west,” states a FOX5 KVVU – TVLas Vegas news report.
According to police authorities, the accident happened in the vicinity of Las Vegas’ popular Fremont Street Experience mall. The pedestrian crossing where the accident occurred “…is a marked walkway beneath traffic signals on a three-lane, one-way street, states an article posted at RecordPatriot.com. It is “ often crowded with people making their way among casinos, stores, kiosks, bars and restaurants beneath a four-block-long lighted video canopy, states an Associated Press (AP) article posted at NewsBreak.com.
William Baxter was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, and Kristie Baxter died later at Las Vegas’ University Medical Trauma Centre.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the driver of the SUV has been identified as Mykael Lanice-Lynn Terrell, age 28, of Las Vegas. At the time of the accident, Terrell was traveling north on 4th Street and “had a green light”, stated FOX5KVVU – TV.
Terrell “…left the scene of the crash before she was stopped, arrested and jailed on suspicion of driving under the influence, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident,” stated the AP report. Terrell denied to police “drinking any alcohol” in her arrest report.
Bail Set At $100,000
Terrell appeared in front of Judge Holly Stoberski on Thursday, December 29 at the Las Vegas Regional Justice Center. Judge Stoberski set Terrell’s bail at $100,000. “The judge also ordered that if Terrell posts bond, she cannot drive a vehicle. She also must wear an ankle bracelet monitor,” stated FOX5 KVVU – TV news.
Bail Posted
Court records indicate that Terrell posted the required bail, after which she was released. She later appeared in court on Wednesday, January 4 and was not asked to enter a plea. Her next court date is set for Wednesday, January 18.
Possible Jail Time
The AP states that Terrell “faces six felony charges, including two counts of driving under the influence causing death…” Each “…carry a mandatory minimum sentence of two to 20 years in state prison.” Terrell is also charged with “…reckless driving causing death and failure to stop at the scene of a fatal crash.”
Eyewitness Report
An eyewitness of the accident, who is also a medical emergency technician, said that at the time of the incident he and a police officer were parked in a “DUI response van” approximately a block south of the crash. The eyewitnesses told police that he observed a SUV traveling “…’at a high rate of speed’ up 4th Street, passing a car and nearly hitting another pedestrian moments before the Baxters were struck,” states the AP report.
Authorities confirm that the deaths of the Baxters are the “…150th and 151st traffic-related fatalities in LVMPD’s jurisdiction for the year 2022.”
