A teenage girl was killed and her sister severely injured after a speeding driver ran them over as they walked home from a convenience store in North Las Vegas.
Fatal Collision
Janiah Gant, 17, died during the horrific collision on Saturday, according to Clark County coroner's office records. Her sister, Leilani Wigfall, 19, was critically injured and lost all of her teeth in the crash, their family revealed in a GoFundMe campaign.
North Las Vegas Police officers responded to the crash at the intersection of West Craig Road and Simmons Street shortly before 4 p.m. PT, Fox 5 reported.
Driver's Actions
The driver, identified by police as Triquan Hughes, 32, allegedly sped through a red light, collided with another vehicle, struck a utility pole, and then ran over the two girls before careening into a wall. Police alleged that Hughes told officers to 'go ahead and book me,' so he could post bail 'in an hour.'
Gant was pronounced dead at the scene, and Wigfall was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Court Appearance
During an initial court appearance on Monday, Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Aaron Nance claimed Hughes was driving recklessly and speeding, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. 'I can tell you there are numerous witnesses to his driving behavior. Crossing 80-plus miles an hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone, straight through a red light,' Nance said.
According to the police report, Hughes showed visible signs of impairment and had his 10-year-old son in the car. 'As I was talking to Hughes, I could detect a strong odor of an unknown alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath as he spoke,' an officer wrote in the report.
The officer added, 'I told Hughes that he was going to be charged with reckless driving causing death, reckless driving resulting in substantial bodily harm, and then I told him he was going to be charged with child endangerment.' Hughes stated his son was wearing a seatbelt, but the officer explained that his driving had put his son in danger.
Nance also told the judge that Hughes made a comment to the police about making bail. 'Just go ahead and book me so I can make bail in an hour,' Nance claimed Hughes said. 'So that tells you the type of regard he has for the community.'
Charges and Bail
Hughes has been charged with reckless driving causing death or substantial bodily harm, child abuse, and driving without a valid license. Notably, he has not been charged with a DUI. Police drew his blood for testing, but wrote in their report that Hughes refused to participate in field sobriety tests.
He is being held at the North Las Vegas Detention Center on $250,000 bail. As of Tuesday, his bail has not been posted.
Victims' Condition
Wigfall is 'fighting to recover and faces a long, difficult road ahead,' her family said in the fundraiser. 'She will need extensive medical care, including rehabilitation, multiple surgeries, and dental reconstruction after losing all of her teeth in the accident.' The family is also raising money to cover Gant's funeral expenses.
'Janiah was a kind and loving person who meant so much to everyone who knew her, especially her elderly Great Aunt Betty, who affectionately nicknamed her "Smiley" because she was so shy and her aunt loved to make her smile,' the fundraiser said.
