Las Vegas Review Journal Editor, Poker Pro Run Over By Train

The Las Vegas Review Journal has been in the news a lot this past week.  First we learn that the newspaper is suing a handful of ventures for reprinting articles, including our friends over at Majorwager.com.  They are seeking damages of $75,000 apparently.

Now comes word that one of its editors was killed after being hit by a train this weekend.

Assistant City Editor Warren Bates, 49, was killed outside the California ghost town of Amboy, more than 130 miles from Las Vegas.  The Toyota he was driving had been broadsided by a train.

The LVRJ reported that "Witnesses told authorities that Bates was seen traveling on Route 66 and pulling ahead of the train before driving his car onto the tracks and stopping just before 5 p.m".

Bates joined the Las Vegas Review Journal back in 1985 and has spent his entire career there.

As a reporter, Bates was known for both his hard-hitting federal court coverage as well as his ability to sniff out the unusual story in the most unusual places, sometimes writing first-person accounts, the Las Vegas Review Journal remembered. 

Bates also participated in major poker tournaments including the 2005 World Series of Poker.

Born in San Jose, Calif., on Jan. 24, 1961, Bates graduated with a journalism degree from San Jose State University.

He is survived by his father, Warren of San Jose, and his sister, Susana.

Payton O'Brien, Gambling911.com Senior Editorv