IN BRIEF

DEADLY COLLISION

Sparks man, 23, convicted of misdemeanor in ’07 crash

A Washoe County jury has convicted a 23-year-old Sparks man of reckless driving but acquitted him of charges he caused the deaths of two men and seriously injured another in a high-speed crash in 2007.

Jasin Richards was charged with two counts of reckless driving causing death and reckless driving causing substantial bodily harm.

Investigators said he was street racing and driving between 79 miles per hour and 93 mph in a 45 mph zone when his car collided with a pickup at an intersection.

Richards denied he was racing.

Jurors on Monday convicted him of reckless driving, a misdemeanor.

Richards’ passenger and the driver of the pickup were killed. A passenger in the pickup was seriously injured.

AGING EQUIPMENT

Sparks fire chief says budget failing to keep up with growth

The fire chief in fast-growing Sparks is warning that budget woes, retirements, aging equipment and delayed maintenance are creating what he calls "a recipe for disaster."

Chief Andy Flock said three years have passed since firefighters have had time to check fire hydrants in some private business areas and apartment complexes. He is worried some might not work in an emergency.

Flock also said some of the city’s fire equipment, including hoses, is more than 25 years old.

As equipment has aged, Flock said, the number of calls to the fire department has increased with the region’s population and the area served by the department.

He made the assessment as he prepared for a briefing with city leaders.