Judge chosen for vehicular-homicide case

A judge from Southern Nevada has been tapped to hear the misdemeanor vehicular-homicide case against Douglas County District Judge Michael Gibbons.

Moapa Valley Township Justice Court Justice of the Peace D. Lanny Waite will preside over the case.

East Fork Justice of the Peace Tom Perkins asked that the case be reassigned, saying Gibbons is a friend and longtime colleague.

Gibbons’ arraignment in justice court is set for Jan. 13.

Gibbons faces the charge in connection with an Aug. 20 accident that resulted in the death of bicyclist Joseph A. Longo. Longo and Gibbons were both eastbound on Pine Nut Road when Gibbons, driving a Subaru, made a right turn onto East Valley in front of Longo, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol. At some point Longo’s bicycle made contact with Gibbons’ vehicle, which knocked the Gardnerville resident to the ground, where he hit his head. Longo was not wearing a helmet. A week later, Longo died of his injuries.

Waite has been a justice of the peace in Moapa since his election in 1986, according to the Clark County website. He is a longtime Nevada resident who graduated from Moapa Valley High School before leaving the state to attend law school. Moapa is about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas.