75°F
weather icon Partly Cloudy

Inmate facing DUI charges in a Nye County crash that killed 3 in March recaptured

Updated October 13, 2021 - 8:24 am

A nearly 36-hour manhunt for Tyler Kennedy, facing DUI and reckless driving charges in a Nye County crash that killed three in March, came to an end on Sunday night after turning himself into authorities.

After cutting off his ankle monitor and escaping into the mountains from Westcare Harris Springs Ranch Rehabilitation Center on midday Saturday, the Nye County Sheriff’s Office said Kennedy turned himself in Sunday night, “seeking refuge from the weather.” “NCSO personnel assisted by LVMPD and NHP surrounded the camp where Kennedy was,” NCSO said, “Kennedy was taken into custody without incident.”

Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly thanked all the agencies involved in working to located Kennedy, which included the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada Highway Patrol and NCSO personnel.

Kennedy was at the Westcare Harris Springs Ranch Rehabilitation Center facility in Clark County for a court-authorized visit on Saturday.

NCSO said that early Saturday afternoon, NCSO detention staff observed Kennedy appearing to intentionally go outside the authorized boundary of his ankle monitor that he had on while at the facility.

The detention staff responded to the Clark County facility to retake Kennedy.

“As NCSO Detention staff arrived Kennedy, absconded from the facility, cut off the ankle monitor, and fled into the mountains,” NCSO said.

NCSO and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department resources began a search of the area for Kennedy, NCSO said on Facebook on Saturday. Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly had issued a retake warrant for Kennedy’s arrest after his escape.

Kennedy is facing DUI charges in a Nye County crash just north of Beatty in March that killed three and seriously injured two others. NHP said Kennedy was driving a Ford F-150 truck that crashed into a Toyota Highlander just outside Beatty. Two adults and a child died at the scene: Lauren Starcevich, 38; Michael Durmeier, 39; and Durmeier’s 12-year-old daughter, Georgia Durmeier.

Kennedy will also face charges of escape and malicious destruction of property in Clark County, NCSO said in its release.

THE LATEST
GALLERY: Celebrating the lives of lost loved ones

Butterflies are a symbol of transformation and one of the most transformative things a person can experience is the death of someone they love.

Local families invited to Community Baby Shower

Raising a child can be hard. That’s something the members of Pahrump Mothers Corner understand all too well. In an effort to ease the challenges of parenthood, particularly for new and expecting families, this group of local moms banded together to host a Community Baby Shower and the event proved to be very popular, leading to its return for the third year running.

Tonopah to be home to experimental hypersonic testing facility

Ambitious. It’s an apt word to describe Michael Grace’s vision for the future of his company, Longshot Space Technology Corporation, which, if all goes to plan, will build what he calls the world’s largest potato gun.

Pahrump man arrested for elder abuse

A Pahrump man wanted by the Nye County Sheriff’s Office on suspicion of elder abuse was arrested while attempting to purchase multiple vehicles at a Las Vegas car dealership, according to authorities.

Nye sheriff explains why you shouldn’t flee from the law

A man suspected of driving a stolen vehicle out of Las Vegas led Nye County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high-speed pursuit into Pahrump on Monday morning, April 15.

Amargosa veterans honored with their own Quilts of Valor ceremony

The Nye County Valor Quilters are on a mission — to cover local veterans in the comfort of healing Quilts of Valor to honor the service and sacrifices they’ve made in the name of freedom – and now, these talented artists have started to expand their reach outside of the Pahrump Valley.

Vehicle in garage destroyed by fire

No serious injuries were reported after fire gutted a vehicle inside the garage of a home along the 2400 block of Zuni Avenue on Wednesday, April 10.

Need a good laugh? Join in a night of hilarious scholarship fundraising

Promising a “laugh-your-ass-off” night of hilarity and musical diversion, Sanders Family Winery is all set to host the Kiwanis Club of the Pahrump Valley Scholarship Fundraiser and its sure to be an amusing time for all involved.

$6.2M allocated to 10 projects

Nye County has earmarked about $6.2 million of its $12 million in Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) grant dollars for a total of 10 projects throughout the county.