Police officer pleads not guilty in pursuit death

A Las Vegas police officer on Tuesday pleaded not guilty in District Court to charges related to a May police pursuit that left one person dead and another injured.

Last month, a North Las Vegas justice of the peace ruled that prosecutors had enough evidence to send Aron Carpenter's case to District Court.

Carpenter faces one count each of felony reckless driving and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter for his role in the pursuit that ended with the death of Ivan Carrillo.

Evidence showed Carrillo, 26, was high on methamphetamine.

Authorities say the chase began about 10:20 p.m. after a report of a possible drunken driver . After Carrillo refused to pull over, Carpenter and officer Andrew Charles Ubbens, in separate cars, chased his vehicle north along Nellis and Las Vegas boulevards. The two officers were ordered three times to end the chase.

With the cars speeding at more than 60 mph near Lone Mountain, Carpenter's patrol car bumped Carrillo's car, sending it into oncoming traffic and triggering a four-car crash that killed Carrillo. A person in another vehicle was injured, authorities said.

Ubbens last month pleaded no contest to failure to use due care, a misdemeanor. He was ordered to pay a $500 fine and to perform 50 hours of community service.