Metro police officer dies from injuries after early-morning crash

A Las Vegas police officer was struck and killed by a suspected drunken driver while responding to a domestic violence call in the southwest valley early this morning.

The officer, 28-year-old James Manor, was trapped in his patrol car for several minutes before emergency responders were able to extricate him and take him to University Medical Center.

The Clark High School graduate who was 13 days shy of marking his second year with the department was pronounced dead not long after arriving at the hospital, Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie said.

“Today is a dark day for the Metro police family,” Gillespie said.

Police identified the suspect as 45-year-old Calvin Darling, who has no criminal history.

Police said Darling was trying to make a left turn onto Ravenwood Drive from westbound Flamingo Road, near Rainbow Boulevard, in a pickup at 12:46 a.m. He turned in front of Manor and a second patrol car that were heading east on Flamingo, police said.

Manor tried to avoid the truck but couldn’t and the two vehicles collided, Gillespie said. The officer in the second patrol car reported the incident.

Gillespie said investigators determined Darling was drunk through an interview and blood tests. Darling was taken to UMC with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to be booked into the Clark County Detention Center on charges of felony driving under the influence resulting in death and failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

“This shows you how quickly tragedy can strike,” Gillespie said. “Many times getting to the call is just as dangerous as handling the call.”

Gillespie said both police cars had their lights and sirens running, although witnesses at the scene this morning disputed that contention.

Jason Hines said he saw the accident while driving about 100 feet behind the patrol cars. He said Manor was driving at a high rate of speed without his lights and sirens on.

“He 100 percent did not have lights and sirens,” Hines said. “You wouldn’t turn left if you saw lights and sirens.” He said the pickup rolled while the police car came to rest and caught on fire. Hines said he got out of his car and tried to speak with officers but was told to move back.

“I am all for police. They are the ones who protect me,” Hines said. “I just want to know what happened.” Tarin Marvel said she was in her backyard when the accident occurred. She said she never saw lights or heard the screech of brakes or police sirens — just an explosion.

Marvel said her yard, which is directly perpendicular with Ravenwood Drive, fills with light when patrol cars pass by with lights and sirens.

“You hear it all, you see it all when they go by,” Marvel said.

Marvel and her husband, Stephen Marvel, ran to the wall adjacent to Flamingo Road and saw the second patrol officer stop at the scene and dart to Manor’s car.

Marvel dialed 911 and rushed across the street. Darling maneuvered himself out of the overturned car, Marvel said, and was trying to put out the flames with dirt and a personal fire extinguisher from the bed of his pickup.

Police Sgt. John Loretto said the officers were responding to a call made by a 14-year-old girl in the 6000 block of Flamingo. Her initial call, made at 12:27 a.m., was that her father had been beating her and had left the residence. The officers were responding to a second call the girl made, claiming that her father was back and that she had a black eye and was bleeding from her arm, Loretto said.

Other officers eventually responded to the call and found that her father was not at the home but that her mother was, Loretto said. Nobody was arrested.

Gillespie today thanked the public and the medical responders for their efforts.

“The last time we came before you in this setting was roughly three years ago, when Sgt. Henry Prendes was killed in the line of duty,” Gillespie said. “It was hard then, and it is hard now. What helps us get through these tough times is knowing how much the Las Vegas community supports this police department. That support sustains us, and I thank you.”

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440. Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.