Hit-and-run suspect talks to police on phone, refuses to surrender

Keith Paul

Tuesday, April 24, 2001 | 11:10 a.m.

A man wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident told police during a cellular phone call that he was involved in an accident, but has refused to surrender, Nevada Highway Patrol officials said.

Troopers were tipped off to the location of a black car suspected in the accident that killed three Las Vegas residents, including an 8-year-old boy. A neighbor saw the black car pull into the garage on Sunday night.

Troopers found a 1998 black Lincoln Mark VIII with damage on the left front side and front in the garage of a house at 5924 Oakton St., near Ann Road and Jones Boulevard, Monday night. But the suspected driver, Mitchell E. Dettloff, was not in the house.

"He talked to us on his cell phone and said he wasn't giving himself up and wanted to negotiate this," said Trooper Alan Davidson, a state patrol spokesman. "He said, basically, 'I didn't have the kids when I was in the accident.' "

Dettloff was apparently referring to his children. Police have stated the driver of the black car may have had children in his car at the time of the accident.

Troopers are still trying to locate Dettloff and serve a warrant charging him with involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving and other crimes. Dettloff told troopers he was in a hotel and was talking to an attorney.

"We are checking hotel registrations trying to locate him," Davidson said.

Officers got a search warrant for Dettloff's house Monday night and found the car. They also found a phone book on a table opened to the attorney section, Davidson said.

The accident occurred about 6:30 p.m. Sunday on U.S. 95 north of Craig Road behind Santa Fe Station hotel-casino. The driver of a black car apparently lost control and drove off the roadway. The driver then came back onto the roadway and forced a pickup across the median and head-on into another pickup, Davidson said.

The driver of the pickup that was forced into oncoming traffic, James Barton, 32, was listed in critical condition this morning at University Medical Center. His wife, Holly Barton, 33, and 8-year-old son Benjamin Barton were killed. The driver of the other pickup, 30-year-old Brian Lee Cooper, also died at the scene, police said.

A trooper was called to the accident, and apparently Dettloff was trying to leave the scene. The trooper didn't know he was involved in the accident and directed him out, Davidson said.

The trooper identified Dettloff as the driver of the black car and said he had children in the back of the car, Davidson said.

Dettloff apparently took his children to his ex-wife's home. His ex-wife gave troopers Dettloff's cell phone number, Davidson said.

Troopers are sending a copy of the warrant to Dettloff's attorney to arrange Dettloff's surrender.