Johnelle Johnson, 46, appeared in court Wednesday after a judge had given a prosecutor time to review her blood test results.
Johnelle Johnson, a Regional Transportation Commission bus driver accused of DUI in a fatal crash, waits to appear in court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Prosecutors had not yet filed charges and Johnson was released from custody on her own recognizance. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) src="https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/18546314_web1_BUS-DRIVER-COURT-NOV23-23_112223kc_002.jpg">
Judge Joe Bonaventure speaks to Johnelle Johnson, a Regional Transportation Commission bus driver accused of DUI in a fatal crash, during her court appearance at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Prosecutors had not yet filed charges and Bonaventure released Johnson from custody on her own recognizance. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) src="https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/18546314_web1_BUS-DRIVER-COURT-NOV23-23_112223kc_004.jpg">
Johnelle Johnson, a Regional Transportation Commission bus driver accused of DUI in a fatal crash, talks to her public defender after an appearance in court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Prosecutors had not yet filed charges and Johnson was released from custody on her own recognizance. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) src="https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/18546314_web1_BUS-DRIVER-COURT-NOV23-23_112223kc_003.jpg">
Johnelle Johnson, a Regional Transportation Commission bus driver accused of DUI in a fatal crash, appears in court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Prosecutors had not yet filed charges and Johnson was released from custody on her own recognizance. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) src="https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/18546314_web1_BUS-DRIVER-COURT-NOV23-23_112223kc_006.jpg">
Johnelle Johnson, a Regional Transportation Commission bus driver accused of DUI in a fatal crash, walks out of the courtroom after an appearance at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Prosecutors had not yet filed charges and Johnson was released from custody on her own recognizance. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) src="https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/18546314_web1_BUS-DRIVER-COURT-NOV23-23_112223kc_005.jpg">
Johnelle Johnson, a Regional Transportation Commission bus driver accused of DUI in a fatal crash, walks out of the courtroom after an appearance at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Prosecutors had not yet filed charges and Johnson was released from custody on her own recognizance. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Las Vegas bus driver suspected of DUI in a fatal crash with a bicyclist was ordered released from custody on Wednesday after prosecutors did not file formal criminal charges against her.
Johnelle Johnson, 46, appeared before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure on Wednesday after the judge had given a prosecutor time to review Johnson’s “rushed blood results,” Bonaventure said on Wednesday.
“I still have not received charges from the state,” Bonaventure added.
Prosecutor Eric Bauman said: “Based on those results, we will not be filing a criminal complaint today.”
Bonaventure ordered Johnson released from custody. She had been in custody since the fatal crash on November 17, 2023.
But Johnson’s release came with a warning from the judge.
“There are always conditions of release, especially with charges like this,” Bonaventure said. “These are extremely serious allegations. While this case is pending, you must stay out of trouble and you must appear in court.”
The judge added that a warrant could be issued for Johnson’s arrest if she did not comply with the requirements.
The fatal crash occurred on Friday afternoon at the intersection of Tropicana Avenue and South Nellis Boulevard. According to police reports, Johnson was driving a Regional Transportation Commission bus eastbound when she ran a red light and struck a bicyclist.
David Ortiz-Gonzalez, 33, died of his injuries at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, police said.
Bonaventure ordered Johnson back in court on Dec. 20.
Contact Peter S. Levitt at
