LV man to face manslaughter charges in hit-and-run case

Kim Smith

Wednesday, May 9, 2001 | 10:24 a.m.

After almost eight hours of testimony from more than 30 witnesses, a Clark County grand jury Tuesday indicted a Las Vegas man in connection with a hit-and-run accident that left three people dead.

According to an indictment that is expected to be unsealed today, Mitchell Dettloff faces three counts of involuntary manslaughter and four counts each of leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving.

Dettloff, 35, is accused of causing the accident that took the lives of Brian Lee Cooper, 30, Holly Barton, 33, and her son, Benjamin Barton, 8. James Barton, Holly Barton's husband and Benjamin Barton's father, was injured.

According to police, Dettloff was traveling on U.S. 95 north of Craig Road when he lost control and drove off the highway. The car returned to the highway and forced a pickup, driven by James Barton, across the median and head-on into another pickup, driven by Cooper.

Prosecutors Gary Booker and Bruce Nelson allege Dettloff got out of his car, screamed obscenities at the victims and then sped off. After picking up his children at his former wife's home, Dettloff reportedly drove past the accident scene where he was admonished by a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper to get off his cell phone.

The trooper didn't realize Dettloff had been involved in the accident, but later recognized the car when it was impounded by police.

Booker also said Dettloff went by the tow yard the day after the accident to see the damage he had caused.

Dettloff was arrested three days after the accident when police received a tip he was staying at the Rio hotel-casino.

Dettloff remains in the Clark County Detention Center on $2.2 million bail.

James Barton was released from the hospital in time to attend the funeral of his wife and son.

Booker said the Bartons' three other children would have been in the vehicle with them had they been old enough to attend the dedication of a Mormon temple.