Driver who critically injured Review-Journal photo director gets probation

A Las Vegas justice ordered probation Thursday for the driver who critically injured the Review‑Journal’s photo director in a hit‑and‑run crash. Eric McDaniels, 37, pleaded guilty to a felony count of reckless driving resulting in serious bodily harm in May. District Judge Crystal Eller imposed a suspended sentence of two to five years and placed McDaniels on probation. Should he fulfill the terms of probation, McDaniels may withdraw his felony plea and enter a guilty plea to misdemeanor reckless driving instead. Eller described the reduced charge as a “huge drop‑down” and wished McDaniels luck after delivering the sentence. Prosecutors had previously said they would not oppose probation or McDaniels’ request after his plea, and neither side presented arguments during the hearing. McDaniels appeared in a reddish tracksuit, blotting his face with a tissue. He was arrested in late April, roughly a week after he struck Sam Morris, a longtime photojournalist and avid cyclist. Morris had been riding his motorcycle in the 3200 block of East St. Louis Avenue near Fremont Street. Metropolitan Police Department Captain Jarvis Dudley said witnesses reported a road‑rage incident precipitated the collision, noting that Morris and McDaniels “exchanged words” before McDaniels cut off Morris, causing Morris to strike the rear of McDaniels’ vehicle. Morris sustained serious head trauma, was treated at University Medical Center and has since returned to work. He sat in the courtroom gallery but declined to speak during sentencing.