Despite suspect’s promise to appear, search continues

Keith Paul

Wednesday, April 25, 2001 | 11:18 a.m.

Nevada Highway Patrol troopers aren't going to wait until the planned court appearance Friday of a man suspected in a fatal hit-and-run accident to arrest him on a warrant. They are currently searching for the 35-year-old Las Vegas man.

Warrants are on file charging Mitchell Dettloff with involuntary manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving in connection with an accident Sunday on U.S. 95 that killed three Las Vegas residents. Prosecutors are seeking bail of $4 million, which Dettloff's attorney, Mace Yampolsky, said is excessive.

"If we find him, we will arrest him and book him into the (Clark County) jail," said Trooper Alan Davidson, a highway patrol spokesman. "We're not going to wait for him to show up in court."

Yampolsky told prosecutors he would appear in Justice Court with Dettloff Friday for a bail hearing. Since the accident, Dettloff apparently dropped his children off at his ex-wife's home and has not returned home.

"It's not like he's running away," Yampolsky said. "He understands the severity of the charges, but there has been misinformation out there and some details some of the witnesses have said that could not have been seen."

Yampolsky said he did not want to go into detail on what he claims is incorrect information about the accident, and he has directed his client not to speak to anyone about the accident.

District Attorney Stewart Bell said attorneys bringing their clients in for a bail hearing before an arrest on a warrant is not uncommon.

"However, the police are not going to give up looking just because Mr. Yampolsky said his client will be in court Friday," Bell said. "If he is found, he would be arrested."

If Dettloff doesn't appear Friday, Bell said, it could have an effect on the amount of bail a judge orders in the case.

Troopers went to Dettloff's house at 5924 Oakton St. near Ann Road and Jones Boulevard Monday night with a search warrant and found a black car with damage to the front in the garage. But Dettloff was not in the house. Troopers later spoke with Dettloff on his cellular phone, and he said he was involved in an accident but refused to surrender at that time, Davidson said.

The accident occurred about 6:30 p.m. on U.S. 95 north of Craig Road behind Santa Fe Station. The driver of a black car apparently lost control and drove off the roadway. The driver returned to the highway and forced a pickup, driven by James Barton, across the median and head-on into another pickup, driven by Brian Lee Cooper, Davidson said.

Barton remained in critical condition this morning in University Medical Center. His wife, 33-year-old Holly Barton, and his 8-year-old son, Benjamin Barton, died in the accident. Cooper, the only person in his truck, also died in the accident.