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March 28, 2024

Woman accused of DUI in fatal crash pleads not guilty in separate wreck

Coroner IDs 2 killed in crash with suspected DUI driver

Updated Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 | 7:01 p.m.

Fatal Crash on Horizon Ridge

Henderson Police investigate a fatal two-vehicle crash on West Horizon Ridge Parkway Tuesday. Launch slideshow »
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Anita Mann

A 19-year-old woman suspected of driving drunk and killing two people on Tuesday appeared in Henderson Municipal Court for an arraignment on misdemeanor charges related to a hit-and-run crash that occurred minutes before the fatal collision.

Anita Mann appeared in court on Wednesday via a video link before Municipal Judge Diana Hampton. She pleaded not guilty to hit-and-run and failure to render aid charges and requested a speedy trial.

Hampton set the trial for 10 a.m. on April 8 and set Mann’s bail at $5,000 for each misdemeanor charge.

She is being held without bond, however, on two felony counts of driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in death.

Mann’s arraignment in Justice Court on the felony charges is scheduled for Feb. 24. She is being held at the Henderson Detention Center.

Henderson Police spokesman Todd Rasmussen said Mann rear-ended a car on Stephanie Street on Tuesday shortly before her Hyundai Accent rear-ended a Hyundai Santa Fe on West Horizon Ridge Parkway, killing its two occupants.

The fatal crash happened at 11:43 a.m. near Horizon Ridge’s intersection with Shaded Canyon Drive. The other crash was reported about 10 minutes earlier, police said.

Rasmussen said a woman in the Santa Fe, identified as Karen Hicks, 65, of Henderson, was ejected when the vehicle overturned. A 65-year-old man, Louis Madden of Henderson, also died in the crash.

At Wednesday’s court hearing, the judge said Mann is not allowed to have any alcohol if she posts bail and is required to wear a SCRAM device, which is a bracelet that monitors alcohol consumption.

“I’m very concerned with the safety of the public because of the two accidents,” Hampton said. “I think she does pose a danger to the community.”

KLAS-TV reported Wednesday that an arrest report indicated Mann had a blood-alcohol level of .26 percent — three times the legal limit.

Hampton scolded Mann and said she was irresponsible for continuing to drive after hitting one car.

“You’re 19, which means you shouldn’t have been in this position anyway,” Hampton said.

Also on Wednesday, Nevada National Guard spokesman Sgt. Erick Studenicka said the Guard will conduct an investigation into the incident.

Mann joined the military in October 2008 and became a private first class in August 2009. Studenicka said Mann serves one weekend per month and goes through two weeks of training each year.

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