Cop fulfills judgement in traffic death

The case against a Metro Police officer involved in the head-on collision that killed a local magician is closed.

Officer Edward V. Jones, 35, who pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts, has completed Metro's driving school and paid his $2,000 fine as ordered by Justice of the Peace Bill Jansen. By doing so, the officer who was suspended for a month by Sheriff Jerry Keller avoided a one-year jail sentence.

On June 27, Jones' car, with its red lights and siren activated on its way to a call, drifted over the center line at a curve on Industrial Road near Oquendo Road and struck the motorcycle ridden by Anthony "Chappy" Brazil.

Although the domestic violence call involved a report of a man with a gun, the Clark County district attorney's office decided to file criminal charges of careless driving and failure to maintain travel lane.

Jones, a two-year Metro veteran, pleaded guilty to those counts.

The decision by prosecutors came after an independent accident reconstruction expert investigated the collision site and data and determined Jones was traveling about double the posted 35 mph speed limit.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Dan Bowman stated, "There is no indication of any improper driving on behalf of Brazil."

Bowman conceded that while "the public wants vehicle response ... as soon as possible in an emergency ... it is critical that even emergency vehicles exercise a certain level of care."

He noted the Nevada Legislature specified that police have the right to exceed the speed limit in emergency situations, but that "does not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and does not protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others."

Brazil, 34, died instantly in the collision. Jones was treated for minor head injuries.

Brazil, a Las Vegas resident, portrayed Octavius in the Caesars Magical Empire since the magic stage show opened at Caesars Palace hotel-casino in June 1996.

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