Nevada judge releases driver involved in fatal crash near Las Vegas

A man accused of causing a fatal crash in Las Vegas was released by a judge due to prosecutors not yet filing formal charges against him. The man, Steven Woods, 40, faces charges such as DUI resulting in death and speeding. The incident, which resulted in the death of two children, occurred on Interstate 15 near Bunkerville. Five people were taken to the hospital with injuries following the multi-vehicle crash that happened at around 3:30 p.m. on a Sunday in May. The identities of the children and further details were not disclosed. Woods was granted a bail of $350,000 and ordered by the judge to wear a drug patch and refrain from driving if he posted bond. He was released from custody by Justice of the Peace Darryll Dodenbier when charges were not filed, with the requirement to continue wearing the drug patch and abstain from driving. Although there was no evidence of alcohol in Woods' system, formal charges are pending until blood test results are confirmed, which can take multiple months. Typically, tests are expedited in cases involving fatalities. The delay in filing the complaint was unclear, with city police taking two months on average to process blood tests. Toxicology screenings, which include drug testing, can prolong the process significantly, with Henderson police reporting an average of 294 days. The Las Vegas Justice Court Chief Judge noted that a delay of four months is standard in DUI cases due to expected testing delays. The district attorney's office did not provide an immediate comment.