Speeding with infant lands dad in county jail

RENO - A Carson City father was arrested Wednesday evening in Reno for allegedly driving 114 mph with his 2-month-old infant in the vehicle.

Jesse Madera Martinez, 23, was booked into the Washoe County Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor child endangerment and misdemeanor reckless driving.

According to the Nevada Highway Patrol arrest report, Trooper Greg Moore was running radar near South Meadows Parkway about 5 p.m. when he saw Martinez's 2004 Dodge Sedan approaching him.

"I estimated the vehicle to be in excess of 100 mph in a posted 65 mph zone. I clocked the vehicle at 114 mph," Moore said.

As Moore was attempting to stop the sedan, a green truck passed him at 80 mph, he wrote in the report.

Moore said Martinez pulled over near Damonte Ranch Parkway with the trooper behind him and the green truck, driven by Moore's wife, stopped in front of them. When asked why he was driving so fast, the trooper said, Martinez stated he didn't know.

Martinez was arrested and his wife asked what would happen with the car. Moore said when he told her it would be towed, she said their infant was in the vehicle.

The trooper said he then saw, the "very small infant" asleep in a child safety seat in the back.

"Mr. Martinez's explanation as to why he was traveling so fast was he was being stupid," Moore wrote in the report.

Martinez was released on his own recognizance.

nContact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.