IN BRIEF

TROPICANA AND DURANGO

78-year-old crash victim identified

Authorities said the 78-year-old man killed in a vehicle crash caused by a robbery suspect Tuesday morning on Tropicana Avenue near Durango Drive was Roy Ericksen.

Ericksen was traveling west on Tropicana about 10:45 a.m. in a 2001 Ford Explorer when he was struck by a 2004 Dodge Intrepid being driven west by 27-year-old Nikish Bangerter of Las Vegas, police said.

Police said Bangerter struck the Ford when he got into a fight with his 27-year-old Las Vegas passenger, Zachery Valenzuela.

Both vehicles went out of control and Ericksen’s Ford flipped onto its roof. Ericksen, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the Ford, police said. He was taken to University Medical Center where he died.

Bangerter was arrested at the scene on a probation violation charge, police said.

Valenzuela ran away from the scene of the accident but was arrested later at a gas station, police said.

Valenzuela was wanted by police in an April 21 robbery of a fast-food restaurant, police said.

STATE ROUTE 159

U-turn sparks crash; motorcyclist dies

A 27-year-old Las Vegas man died in a motorcycle accident on state Route 159 near Calico Basin on Tuesday night.

Alexandru Salcudean was driving a 2003 Suzuki motorcycle west about 6 p.m. and tried to pass another vehicle when a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Patricia Woods began making a U-turn to go east, Las Vegas police said.

Salcudean braked to avoid the Chevrolet but hit the front left fender of the vehicle and was thrown from the motorcycle, police said.

Salcudean was declared dead at the scene. Woods was taken to Summerlin Hospital Medical Center and treated for minor injuries.

Police said Woods’ unsafe U-turn caused the accident.

FOUND IN ROADWAY

54-year-old stabbing victim identified

The 54-year-old Las Vegas man stabbed to death near Tropicana Avenue and Hualapai Way on Saturday was Byron Harris, according to the Clark County coroner’s office.

Harris was found stabbed to death in the roadway at the intersection of Reno Avenue and Gypsum Reefs Street about 11:50 p.m. No suspects have been arrested in the killing.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555 or the Las Vegas police homicide unit at 828-3700.