Judge hit by vehicle not expected back on bench until later this month

Nearly a month after being hit by a vehicle outside the Clark County Regional Justice Center, Judge Linda Bell has yet to return to the bench, despite initial suggestions that she would return to work within days.

Though Bell’s injuries on Nov. 7 were not life-threatening, courthouse spokeswoman Mary Ann Price called an early assessment of when the judge would return to work “overly optimistic.”

The veteran district court judge is not expected to return to the bench until at least the middle of this month, Price said, adding “I don’t know exactly when.”

Bell was hit by a vehicle with an out-of-state license plate that was headed the wrong way on Clark Avenue, a one-way street where traffic is supposed to flow west, Price said.

Las Vegas police said the crash happened about 7 a.m., when Bell was struck outside the downtown courthouse. The judges’ parking lot is across Clark on the southern side of the courthouse.

The area is heavily used by pedestrians as the south courthouse entrance is used for lawyers, jurors and jurists. It is also the location of the county marriage bureau.

Clearly marked crossing lanes and signs are posted in the middle of the road so pedestrians can safely cross.

Bell was conscious when she was taken to University Medical Center, and her injuries were later described as minor. She was released from the hospital that afternoon. Price declined to reveal the extent of the judge’s injuries.

Contact reporter David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker