LATEST UPDATE: Omar Herrera appeared in court on Nov. 12 for a 72-hour hearing. Because charges have not been officially filed, Herrera's attorney attempted to argue that he should be released on his own recognizance. Although the judge refused to do so, he did order the district attorney's office to file charges by 9 a.m. Nov. 19.
UPDATE: Action News has learned that the driver arrested and passenger killed were cousins. Omar Herrera's bail was just increased to $500,000, according to North Las Vegas Justice Court officials.
"Right now is a bad time for me and her," said Catalina Montes. "Her son is in jail and my son is dead."
The family of both cousins is standing united. They say they don't want Herrera to face any charges in the death of Milton Montes.
"How could we be angry if it was an accident," said Izamar Montes, who lost her brother.
Relatives said Herrera was close to Montes, and always looking out for him.
"His baby, she's only 2 years old and she's asking where daddy is," said Herrera's sister Cynthia.
Herrera is due back in court Thursday. Relatives hope he'll be able to attend Montes' funeral on Friday.
"We are a big family," said Catalina, "we love each other."
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to cover funeral expenses.
ORIGINAL STORY
A passenger was killed in a North Las Vegas crash early Monday morning where the driver left the scene to take himself to the hospital.
The crash happened just before 1 a.m. when the driver hit a parked truck near Cheyenne Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
The preliminary investigation indicates a 2004 Ford Expedition had been traveling at a high rate of speed east bound in the 1700 block of West Brooks Avenue when it struck the rear of an unoccupied flatbed truck which was parked on the south side of the road. The Expedition was being driven by 28-year-old Omar Herrera of North Las Vegas, while the 31-year-old victim was a passenger in the vehicle.
Herrera fled the scene on foot following the crash. Authorities later located Herrera at North Vista Hospital, where he was being treated for minor injuries he sustained in the crash. Alcohol and speed appear to be factors in the case.
Herrera was arrested and booked for felony driving under the influence resulting in death, felony reckless driving resulting in death, and felony duty to stop at the scene of an accident involving death.
The passenger was identified as 31-year-old Milton Montes of Las Vegas. He died of blunt force head trauma.
"This is very serious crash both as far as vehicle damage and as far as anytime there's a deceased it's a tragedy," said Officer Steven Wiese.
