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Bicyclist dies after collision; driver faces DUI charge

A bicyclist died Monday afternoon after he was struck by a Chevrolet Suburban and dragged about 10 feet near Desert Inn and Sandhill Roads, Las Vegas police said.

The driver of the Suburban, 50-year-old Charlie Matanza of Las Vegas, was arrested for driving under the influence, police said.


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  • Police did not release the name of the deceased man, but said he was a 43-year-old Las Vegan.

    Police spokesman Ramon Denby said the bicyclist somehow became entangled within the Suburban’s undercarriage. The bicyclist was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

    The accident occurred about 3:14 p.m.

    Police said Matanza was westbound on Desert Inn from Sandhill when his car went up on the north sidewalk and struck the bicyclist.

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    Report abuse

    Zephyrus wrote on June 30, 2009 06:16 PM: The story I was just told was that, in fact, Gary was in the street. The drunk went up on the sidewalk and came back down and hit him.

    Heading home from work. Just a couple more minutes from being home. So close.


    Report abuse

    Zephyrus wrote on June 30, 2009 05:39 PM: How is it obvious that VegasVic is a rider? Sounds more like he's not a rider, or he wouldn't make such a dopey comment.

    If the bicyclist were in the street he wouldn't have been hit? Are you really that dense? How about if the drunk had kept his car on the street, or better yet, not been driving? Sidewalks aren't for cars either you know. That was a really stupid thing to say. Logic FAIL.

    If he'd been riding in the street, he'd have been hit there too. The drunk idiot is at fault. Period.


    Report abuse

    peter wrote on June 30, 2009 10:24 AM: Vegas Vic is obviously a rider so knows the inherent danger of riding on the streets of Las Vegas. I bike commute by choice, leaving the safety of my SUV in the driveway. You see a lot of dumb stuff from the saddle of a bike. But I'd say most drivers are polite and safe. But there is only so much anyone can do. On DI, there is no shoulder. Nothing for the cyclist to do but try to grab two or three feet of the right lane, and hope. That is the way it is in 90% of the streets in Las Vegas I have ridden on. So the next time you see a proposal for bike lanes, how about supporting it? And tougher laws for motorists that hit cyclists wouldn't hurt either. And at a minimum, when you see a cyclist be courteous and give them some room, not just the finger or the horn.


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    melvin consern las vegan wrote on June 30, 2009 03:22 AM: when the police or our justice system is going to put a stop to this??? i see lots of officers just stoped by taking or monitoring speed., i think they should be driving to see up close


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    The American Way wrote on June 30, 2009 12:12 AM: Some of these DUI Drivers "are slippery when wet." Hope law enforcement keeps this guy under wraps, until it's determined how much he owes the victims family in restitution.

    Don't care where the driver is or isn't from. THE DRIVER WHO KILLS, UNDER THE INFLUENCE, is nationality free...just owes, the victim's family, big sloppy support bucks, for the rest of his life.

    Yeah, no more deposits in Mexico/South America, just bring it on home, locally. Any school they want to attend.


    Report abuse

    joe wrote on June 29, 2009 11:30 PM: LOL, Vegas Vic wins the award for dumbest comment made on the RJ comments section. Seriously, that was dumb. Street or sidewalk, the bicyclist had no chance against a drunk driver.


    Report abuse

    Joe Bama wrote on June 29, 2009 11:22 PM: So if he had been on the street he wouldn't have gotten hit? Then where should all the pedestrians that have been run down on the sidewalk be? Running down the middle of the road?


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    TNFamily wrote on June 29, 2009 11:02 PM: GEE VegasVic Guess u think Cars should drive on the side walk???? Have you ever taken a look at the intersections guess not. Oh and by the way did you miss the fact the guy driving the Suburban was under the influence???? What a heartless soul you are. A family has lost a husband and father and the world has lost a brave Army Veteran.


    Report abuse

    Anon wrote on June 29, 2009 10:50 PM: @Vegas Vic

    How about you ride your bike on DI and see how long it takes before someone hits you. On most of these streets, the sidewalk is the safest spot to be.


    Report abuse

    Oscar the Hispanic Hater is here - wrote on June 29, 2009 10:44 PM: And on a lot of the other comment sections as well.
    Give it a rest, Oscar, we know you're a bigoted fool.


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