IN BRIEF
OFF-ROAD ACCIDENT
Teenager charged in traffic death in June
The 16-year-old driver of a Jeep Cherokee that crashed in June, killing a 15-year-old, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, Henderson police said.
Kelly Rochetto was thrown from the back seat of the SUV during an off-road accident near St. Rose Parkway and Executive Airport Drive on June 7.
The 16-year-old's name was not released because he is a juvenile.
There were six people in the Cherokee when it overturned, police said. Rochetto was in the back seat and was ejected from the vehicle. She died at the scene, police said. Three other passengers in the back seat were also injured.
The vehicle was on a private construction access road when the accident occurred.
METHAMPHETAMINE ABUSE
Production looks at perils of addiction
An anti-methamphetamine stage production loosely based on the experiences of the actors takes place at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave.
"The Life Of Crystal," a Solid Rock Production, features a series of interrelated skits performed by former meth users. The play details the characters' descent into addiction and how they ultimately find recovery through religion.
Solid Rock has performed the play throughout Nevada.
Admission is free.
LEFT IN PATROL CAR
Officer accused in death of police dog
A suburban Phoenix police officer is accused of leaving a police dog in a patrol car for more than 12 hours on a 109-degree day, killing the animal.
Chandler police Sgt. Tom Lovejoy was booked into the Maricopa County jail on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty after a two-week investigation into the death of a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois named Bandit. He was released later Wednesday.
The sheriff's investigation showed that Bandit was in Lovejoy's patrol car from about 9 a.m. to shortly after 10 p.m. on Aug. 11. During that time, the investigation found, the officer ran errands, napped and ate a meal at a restaurant with his wife. Lovejoy later found the dog dead in the car.
"I am certain Sergeant Lovejoy has suffered greatly from leaving his police dog in a sweltering car," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. "However, Lovejoy must be treated like anyone else in similar circumstances."
Lovejoy said Wednesday night that he is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 25 and that his lawyer advised him not to comment further.
"With the sheriff railing on me right now, it's kind of hard to say anything," Lovejoy said.
FIVE-STORY FALL
California inmate plunges to his death
A prison inmate fell five stories to his death, but authorities said it's unclear whether the fall at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, Calif., was a murder, suicide or botched escape attempt.
The body was found Wednesday morning at the medium-security prison.
"They did a security check around 2 a.m. and found an inmate missing," said Riverside County sheriff's Investigator Jerry Franchville.
"He was found at the bottom of a five-story building."
The name of the inmate was withheld.
"It appears that he did fall from a fifth-story window and that was the cause of death," prison Lt. Mike Brownell said.
The coroner's office and Sheriff's Department were investigating.
