Calif. man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

INCLINE VILLAGE - A California man was arrested Friday on suspicion of attempted murder, felony battery and hit-and-run after he allegedly struck a woman with his Jeep during a late-night brawl near a bar on Lake Tahoe's North Shore.

According to a press release from Washoe County Sheriff's Office Deputy Armando Avina, Luke Craig, 23, was arrested Friday at an unidentified location in Incline Village without incident.

According to an earlier WCSO press release, officers responded to a call of about 20 people fighting and throwing glass bottles at about 2:22 a.m. Friday near Rookies Sports Bar, located at 930 Tahoe Blvd.

Upon WCSO arrival, it was discovered a woman had allegedly been struck by a black Jeep Wrangler. Craig, who officers believe was driving the Wrangler, allegedly fled the scene; the Jeep was located a short distance away, without a driver.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the press release.

"We have made contact with the family of the female - she is doing better," Avina said in a follow-up interview Friday. "Luckily, we did not have a fatal accident last night."

Friday morning, WCSO detectives interviewed witnesses and were asking for the public's assistance in identifying a suspect. Their investigation led them to Craig's location in Incline Village.

He was transported to the Washoe County Detention Facility in Reno, where he was booked on the felony charges of attempted murder, battery with a deadly weapon, and hit and run causing injury. His bail is set at $88,000.

Avina said Craig was likely visiting the area with friends currently enrolled at Chico St. University; however, Craig's driver's license lists his residence as Vallejo, Calif., hence the designation by law enforcement as him being a "California resident."

An arraignment or court date has not yet been set, Avina said.