A judge on Thursday set bail for a woman who is accused of hitting and killing a motorcyclist while intoxicated near the Las Vegas Strip earlier this week.
Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure set bail for Angela Denley-Dick, 55, at $25,000 cash at the request of Deputy Public Defender Max Berkley, who was appointed to represent Denley-Dick.
If Denley-Dick posts bail, she will be placed under high-level electronic monitoring, and will be ordered to not drive, abstain from drugs and alcohol and stay out of trouble.
Appearing before Bonaventure in blue jail scrubs, Denley-Dick waived the reading of her criminal complaint, but online records show she faces charges including DUI resulting in death and reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm
Denley-Dick was arrested Sunday after police said she failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of East Windmill Lane and South Haven Street while traveling south on Haven. Police said she entered the right-of-way of way of Rashad Al-Battikhi, which caused a crash that left the 22-year-old motorcyclist dead at the scene.
According to a Metropolitan Police Department report, Denley-Dick told officers she had smoked marijuana several days prior.
Deputy District Attorney Dallin Albright, who requested that Denley-Dick’s bail be set at $250,000, said at Thursday’s hearing that blood samples collected from Denley-Dick after her arrest tested positive for delta-9 THC at more than twice the legal limit for marijuana, as well as other substances.
“The defendant was driving her car while on marijuana and she did test positive for other painkillers as well,” Albright said. He noted that Denley-Dick also failed a standardized field sobriety test. “It was very apparent to officers that she was under the influence.”
Albright added that Denley-Dick has one previous conviction on a misdemeanor drug charge, which Bonaventure said was a case he presided over in 2019. Berkley, meanwhile, said Denley-Dick should be released because she is not a flight risk, works as an artist and has a 13-year-old son.
Berkley added that Denley-Dick has lived in the Las Vegas area on-and-off and recently moved back in April.
“She’s got no prior felony convictions,” Berkley said. “She’s got no prior gross misdemeanor convictions.”
Bonaventure said Denley-Dick’s lack of criminal history and compliance in her 2019 misdemeanor case were factors in his decision to set bail at $25,000. But he added the prior drug conviction was a “valid concern” by prosecutors.
“This is a very serious case involving a death of an individual,” Bonaventure said. “A potential penalty here will be severe, if convicted.”
It was the first time Denley-Dick has appeared in court since her arrest Sunday, Bonaventure said, adding she was incoherent and unable to communicate with court staff ahead of a hearing that was initially scheduled for Tuesday.
Online jail records showed Denley-Dick still being in custody following Thursday’s hearing. Bonaventure scheduled Denley-Dick’s preliminary hearing for Sept. 10.
Contact Casey Harrison at charrison@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Casey_Harrison1 on X.
