Drunken driver sentenced in tourists death

Bill Gang

Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999 | 11:03 a.m.

In a courtroom filled with emotion from the family and friends of two Texas tourists killed in a drunken driving collision, the defendant apologized and conceded his apology could do little to change the lives he devastated.

Gary James Bodiot, who knew he would be going to prison after Wednesday's sentencing hearing, explained his heavy drinking on Feb. 27, the high speed that resulted in the deaths and his decision to flee the scene was the result of "personal problems I didn't handle well."

"I took what I had no right to take," Bodiot said. "I broke a glaring tenet of society."

District Judge Sally Loehrer, who already had listened to family members of the victims tell how their lives have been irrevocably scarred by the incident, sentenced Bodiot to a 6 to 20 years in prison.

He will have to serve at least six years before becoming eligible for parole.

"Hopefully this will serve as a deterrent to others who know they shouldn't drive but decide to anyway," the judge said.

Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker said the two victims and their friend -- in Las Vegas for a Rotary Club convention -- were traveling downtown from the Strip in a taxi when Bodiot's Jeep Cherokee ran a red light at Main Street and Charleston Boulevard.

Instead of trying to help those he had injured, Bodiot fled on foot, leaving a trail of blood from an injured leg.

Metro Police tracking dogs were called out but the blood trail stopped. Bodiot's whereabouts were unknown until about five hours later when officers investigating the incident spotted him limping into a hospital, Booker said.

Bodiot admitted his involvement to the officers and he eventually pleaded guilty to the felony drunken driving charge in a plea bargain.