15-year term issued in fatal DUI case

Kim Smith

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000 | 9:46 a.m.

During his sentencing hearing Tuesday Las Vegas resident Roland Garcia told District Judge Lee Gates he is a "good person without the alcohol."

That argument didn't sway Gates, who sentenced Garcia to 15 years in prison with parole possible after 5 1/2 years.

Garcia, 26, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with an October 1999 accident that killed bicyclist David Thompson.

According to police, Garcia was westbound on Sunset Road when he struck Thompson from behind. Thompson, 39, was carried on the hood of Garcia's truck for a short distance before the vehicle made a rapid U-turn and sped away.

Blood tests showed Garcia had a blood alcohol content of 0.22.

On Tuesday, Deputy District Attorney Bruce Nelson asked Gates to sentence Garcia to 20 years in prison, with parole possible after 4 1/2 years.

Thompson's sister, Teri, and his brother, Michael, who provided a videotaped statement, urged Gates to give Garcia the maximum possible.

Both siblings spoke about their devastation by the loss of their brother and said Garcia appeared to be without remorse.

Michael Thompson noted that his brother was one in a long line of Thompsons who served in the military because of the family's strong belief in honor, courage and duty.

Garcia "has no courage, integrity or moral fiber," Michael Thompson said.

Garcia promised Gates he would take the necessary steps to overcome his alcoholism.

"The most important thing I can say is 'I'm sorry,' " Garcia said. "I've had over a year with this running through my mind. I know this impacted more than just me. It impacted the victim's family and my family."

The judge said it was his impression Garcia is sorrier he got caught than anything else and that he hasn't learned a thing.

Gates said he didn't believe the lower end of the sentence was sufficient and increased it to 5 1/2 years.

Nelson said after the hearing that Garcia was involved in another drunken driving accident four years ago. In that accident, the driver in the other car was seriously injured.

However, because no one could determine who was driving the car, Garcia or a relative, prosecutors were forced to offer both a plea agreement. Both men, who had run away from the scene of the accident, ended up pleading guilty to misdemeanor DUI, Nelson said.