A Las Vegas judge has set bail at $500,000 for 64-year-old Waymon Wells after a crash in west Las Vegas that killed a motorcyclist, leaving a tight-knit workplace and grieving family reeling as the case moves through justice court.
Investigators say traffic had begun to slow when a Jeep slammed into the back of a Harley, throwing the rider into the roadway. Friends and coworkers say the loss has rocked their shop, while relatives describe the news as nothing short of devastating.
According to 8 News Now, prosecutors identified the driver as Wells and said he faces three counts, including DUI resulting in death, driving without a valid driver’s license, and failure to decrease speed. Prosecutors also told the court that testing later found cocaine, marijuana, and benzodiazepines in Wells’ system and that he has two prior misdemeanor convictions along with two open traffic citations.
Metro police say officers were called just before 4 p.m. to the area of South Jones Boulevard and West Oakey Boulevard, where a Jeep allegedly failed to slow down and hit the motorcycle from behind, sending the rider into the roadway. A Kia that had already come to a stop was also hit in the chain-reaction crash. FOX5 reports the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
Friends have identified the rider as 48-year-old Josh Barber, a master technician at Red Rock Harley-Davidson. They say he will be laid to rest next month at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. A vigil is scheduled for Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Red Rock Harley-Davidson, and Barber’s relatives say the loss has gutted the family. "The family will be lost and Josh’s five children no longer have a father," Renee Barber told 8 News Now.
Charges, Legal Stakes And Next Court Date
Wells is due back in Las Vegas Justice Court on April 28 and remains in custody on the $500,000 bail set by the judge. Under Nevada law, a DUI that results in death or substantial bodily harm is treated as a serious felony. State statute NRS 484C.430 classifies driving under the influence that causes death or substantial bodily harm as a Category B felony and allows for mandatory prison time and fines.
The law also generally limits the use of suspended sentences and probation in such cases, which means a conviction could lead to years in prison along with a fine of $2,000 to $5,000, according to state law.
Community Response And Safety Push
Red Rock Harley-Davidson is listed at 2260 S Rainbow Blvd in Las Vegas, and that is where riders, coworkers, and community members plan to gather for Barber’s vigil. The dealership appears at that address on Harley-Davidson’s dealer list.
In the wake of a string of motorcycle fatalities this year, Metro police and Red Rock instructors have been teaming up to offer free motorcycle safety lessons as part of an effort to cut down on deadly crashes. KTNV reports that Metro officials say gaps in training and licensing have contributed to a recent cluster of rider deaths.
Metro’s Collision Investigation Section is continuing to dig into the sequence of events in the crash while prosecutors build their case. Investigators are asking anyone who has video or information to contact them, and upcoming court hearings are expected to shed more light on how prosecutors plan to move forward and whether new evidence could shift the case.
