Speed figure crucial in crash probe

Karen Zekan

Friday, July 18, 1997 | 9:12 a.m.

Further investigation into a two-car collision may see a reckless driving charge filed against a 19-year-old man whose vehicle rear-ended and killed a 72-year-old driver.

Metro Police fatal investigators, awaiting the final speed calculations from last week's accident before making the determination, said Thursday that evidence indicates Gerald Hirai may have been driving carelessly.

"(Hirai) told me later that he was reaching into the backseat when the accident happened," said traffic Detective Doug Nutton. "In doing so he may have stepped on the accelerator."

Nutton said Hirai has been distraught since the July 9 accident that killed Virginia Rotenberger of Las Vegas.

Hirai's 1989 Nissan sedan was eastbound on Desert Inn Road when it smashed into the back end of Rotenberger's 1995 Honda Accord that was stopped at a stop sign preparing to turn onto Cabana Drive, east of Nellis Boulevard.

Rotenberger was killed on impact, police said. Both she and her husband, Howard, who was in the passenger seat, were wearing seat belts; Hirai, authorities said, was not.

Hirai initially told police that his brakes failed, but investigators were able to disprove the statement by testing the brakes, which they also photographed, Nutton said.

The speed calculation will be a factor in determining whether any possible charges could be felonies, police said. A felony reckless driving conviction can bring a sentence of two to 20 years behind bars.