Driver indicted in accident that injured LV fire captain

Kim Smith

Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2000 | 10:56 a.m.

A 33-year-old Las Vegas man has been indicted in connection with an accident that left a firefighter in critical condition.

According to court records unsealed this morning, Dorin Geba was indicted on one count of driving under the influence that caused substantial bodily harm and one count of felony reckless driving.

Metro Police believe Las Vegas Fire Capt. Nathan Pechacek was driving through the intersection at Cimarron Road and Alta Drive Sept. 17 when his sport utility vehicle was hit by a 1998 Ford Expedition driven by Geba.

Pechacek's vehicle ended up on its side.

Blood tests showed Geba had a 0.19 blood alcohol level, which is almost twice the legal limit of 0.10, police said.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker said the DUI count is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and the reckless driving count is punishable by up to six years in prison.

Geba remains free on a $500,000 bail, Booker said.

Pechacek was still listed in critical condition this morning at University Medical Center with broken bones and head injuries.

Pechacek also suffered a punctured lung and had his spleen removed, Booker said.

A blood drive to help Pechacek is scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Ironwood community, near Durango Drive and El Capitan. Pechacek was buying a home in the community, according to Astoria Homes, which is sponsoring the blood drive. For more information, call 696-1999.