Woman in deadly crash had drunken driving charge

A 21-year-old drunken driving suspect blamed for a deadly crash Wednesday had been arrested two months earlier on a driving under the influence charge.

Christy Miller of Las Vegas was driving a 2008 Ford Focus on Harmon Avenue at Jones Boulevard when she ran a red light and crashed into a 2010 Ford Focus at about 7:30 p.m., Las Vegas police said.

The driver of the 2010 Focus, Margareth Naoum, a 51-year-old woman from Anapolis, Brazil, was killed.

Miller, who received minor injuries, was taken to a hospital and given a blood test, Detective Sean Lethbridge said.

Miller had not been charged in the fatal crash pending test results, but police suspected alcohol played a role.

“We don’t take a blood test unless we have reasonable suspicion of a drunk driver,” Lethbridge said.

Miller was arrested May 22 on a driving under the influence charge. It was her first offense. She posted bail on the misdemeanor charge and was released the same day, court records show. An arraignment was scheduled for Aug. 22.

Two passengers in Naoum’s car, Maria Paiva, 50, of Brazil and Rita Tugendlieb, 40, of Oakland, Calif., suffered minor injuries.

Jordan Miller, a 26-year-old passenger in Christy Miller’s car, was listed in serious condition.

According to a friend, Naoum was in Las Vegas to celebrate her birthday. She turned 51 on Tuesday, and was killed the following night.

Naoum was a mother of three young daughters, the friend said.

Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.