Driver released from jail

The man arrested on drunken driving charges after pulling his vehicle in front of a police officer, killing him early Thursday, was released from jail Friday evening after a test showed his blood alcohol content was under the legal limit and that there were no illegal drugs in his system.

Calvin Darling, the 45-year-old Bellagio worker who was being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center, was released about 9:45 p.m. He was escorted by jail personnel to a friend's truck, making no comment.

Darling's blood alcohol level was less than 0.08 percent, police said in a news release Friday night without specifying what the level was. A reading of 0.08 is the limit at which someone is presumed to be under the influence.

After the 12:49 a.m. collision, which claimed the life of 28-year-old officer James Manor, Darling, who is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds, admitted to investigators that he drank "three or four beers" at a bar near Bally's after he got off work at 11 p.m. Wednesday night, according to his arrest report.

Investigators stated in the arrest report that his eyes were bloodshot and they could smell alcohol. They conducted a "horizontal gaze" field sobriety test that confirmed he was under the influence of alcohol, according to the report.

In addition to the drunken driving charge, Darling was charged with failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

The news release issued by the Metropolitan Police Department stated that the charges will remain "unchanged" because the tests are "only a part of the overall investigation."

Darling was released on his own recognizance while the investigation continues.

Manor and another officer in a separate patrol car were responding to a domestic violence call at the time of the collision. Police were emphatic that both vehicles had their lights and sirens on. Witnesses have disputed that account.

The decision to charge Darling is ultimately up to the Clark County district attorney's office. Darling is scheduled for a court appearance Monday morning.

Before the wreckage of the two gnarled vehicles was even cleared, a makeshift memorial to the young officer was already being established.

A boy who lives near the collision site at Flamingo Road and Ravenwood Drive arrived Thursday afternoon while investigators were clearing debris. He started what is now a growing pile of flowers and gifts by placing a homemade cross decorated simply with a pair of handcuffs and a few long-stemmed roses.

Since then, people have continually visited the site to pray or observe the items others left behind -- bouquets wilting in the summer sun, candles in pools of melted wax and clusters of stuffed animals.

A rotation of Las Vegas police officers has been at the location around the clock to keep vigil and monitor the growing memorial, Las Vegas police spokeswoman Barbara Morgan said.

She said those flocking to the site range from strangers to Manor's fellow officers to family and friends. "It's a way to release emotion," Morgan said. "People have been coming up and showing compassion and support."

Sydney LeBlanc visited the memorial midday Friday with flowers and a card. She knew Manor, who was two weeks shy of his second anniversary on the force, for about three years. She last saw him Tuesday at Bible study at their church, New Antioch Christian Fellowship.

"I thought about all the stuff he did for our church and for the community," LeBlanc said. "I could at least show my respects."

LeBlanc said Manor was an upbeat person known to offer other churchgoers rides home from services. He also brought his daughter to church and appeared to be a doting father.

LeBlanc said she was devastated when she heard Manor had died.

"He became a police officer because he wanted a more significant career,'" she said. "It was a perfect fit for him and too bad it ended like this."

Even those who never knew Manor came to the site with their children and offerings in tow.

Francisco Ayala visited the site twice Friday.

"I've heard a lot of people say he's a good man," Ayala said. "His spirit is here."

He said that the outpouring of support motivates him to encourage his 17-year-old son to follow his goal to go into law enforcement.

"He wants to help people," he said. "(Manor) was on his way to help people."

Police said Manor and another officer were driving east on Flamingo Road responding to the call of a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly being beaten by her father.

Police said Darling turned left onto Ravenwood from Flamingo and into the path of Manor's patrol car. The two vehicles collided, and Manor died soon after arriving at University Medical Center.

In the arrest report, Darling said he saw the car coming toward him but didn't realize there wasn't enough time for him to turn.

The arrest report doesn't mention whether Darling saw the patrol cars' lights or heard their sirens.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440. Contact reporter Maggie Lillis can be contacted at (702) 383-0279 or mlillis@reviewjournal.com.