IN BRIEF

RECKLESS DRIVING ALLEGED

Authorities release identities of mother, son killed in crash

The mother and son killed Friday in a northeast valley crash were identified by the Clark County coroner's office Monday.

The driver was Maria Lewis, 44, from Las Vegas. She died at the scene from a broken neck.

The passenger was Daniel Santos, 17, from Las Vegas. He died at University Medical Center from multiple injuries.

Both deaths were ruled accidental.

Las Vegas police said 20-year-old Nathan Hardy was in a pickup, speeding and running red lights near Lamb and Las Vegas boulevards about 8:40 p.m. Friday.

Lewis was driving a 2006 Toyota Corolla south on Las Vegas Boulevard and entered the intersection on Lamb on a green light, police said. Hardy was driving a 1992 Dodge Dakota south on Lamb. Witnesses told police the truck was speeding and ran several red lights. Police said the truck struck the right side of the Corolla.

After he was released from a hospital, Hardy was arrested on two felony counts of reckless driving causing a death.

NEW CITY HALL

Old hotel to be razed today in downtown redevelopment

Demolition is set to start on an old hotel on a block that will become home to a new Las Vegas city hall, the project developer said.

A ceremony at 10 a.m. today will involve Las Vegas officials and Forest City Enterprises representatives at the site of the former Queen of Hearts Hotel.

The building at First Street and Lewis Avenue will be razed to make way for city offices and a parking garage on a block bounded by Clark Avenue and Main Street.

Forest City regional executive Dimitri Vazelakis calls the demolition a milestone for the project to help revitalize downtown Las Vegas and create hundreds of jobs.

The new city hall is projected to cost $146 million. Construction should take about two years.

MONEY STOLEN FROM PROGRAM

Ex-state worker's stepfather takes plea deal in theft case

The stepfather of an ex-state worker convicted of siphoning tens of thousands of dollars from Nevada's crime victims support program has taken a plea deal to avoid trial.

A spokeswoman for Nevada state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said Monday's trial for 62-year-old Frank Nolton was canceled after Nolton agreed last week to plead guilty to misdemeanor theft and repay $9,400.

A Clark County District Court judge set a June 27 date for restitution to be completed.

A jury found 36-year-old Tonya Walker guilty Jan. 15 of four felony theft charges. She faces up to 40 years in prison at sentencing May 18.

Walker's husband, 32-year-old Prentice Lamar Walker, and mother, 62-year-old Ernestine Hunter Walker, each face one to 10 years for felony theft, aiding and abetting.