North Las Vegas police looking for witnesses to crash

By Mary Manning

Friday, Feb. 8, 2008 | 11:47 a.m.

North Las Vegas police are seeking witnesses to a crash involving three vehicles that occurred at 9:06 p.m. Thursday west of the intersection of Cheyenne Avenue and North Fifth Street.

Officers found that a 2005 Nissan Sentra, westbound on Cheyenne, had been passing other vehicles in the emergency lane and lost control, crossing into the eastbound lanes and striking two other vehicles.

Both the Nissan's driver, Demontai Bratcher, 18, of Las Vegas, and passenger, Toriano Jacobs, 20, of North Las Vegas were ejected as their vehicle was literally cut in half by the force of the impacts, police said. Officers said they also found a sawed-off .22 caliber rifle at the scene.

Both men were listed in serious condition today at University Medical Center. Edward Nicols, 47, of Las Vegas drove a Saturn involved in the crash and Segundo Malaver, 44, of Las Vegas in a 2007 Nissan pickup truck, suffered minor injuries and did not require hospitalization, police said.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call the lead investigator in this case at 633-1017, ext. 5055, or Crimestoppers at 385-5555 or online.