Douglas County District Court Judge Michael Gibbons faces a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter following a fatal bicycle accident this summer, according to charges filed Friday by District Attorney Mark Jackson.
On August 20, 2013, cyclist Joseph Longo, 61, was killed in an accident near Pinenut and East Valley roads in the Carson Valley. Charges state Gibbons, 57, failed to exercise due care when overtaking or passing Longo who was traveling in the same direction. Gibbons is accused of failing to pass at a safe distance and not using due care to avoid a collision.
The right rear portion of Gibbons’ vehicle and the bicycle made contact and Longo was thrown to the ground. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol. Nevada law requires motorists give cyclists three feet right of way.
The Nevada Highway Patrol Major Accident Investigation Team concluded the collision was as a result of simple negligence.
Gibbons will appear in the East Fork Township Justice Court on Jan. 13 at 8:30 a.m. If convicted of the misdemeanor charge he faces a mandatory $250-$1,000 fine, 50-99 hours of mandatory community service, and up to six months in jail.