Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002 | 9:55 a.m.
A $2 million bail was set Wednesday for a 21-year-old Las Vegas man indicted in the crash that killed Las Vegas Sun Vice President and Associate Editor Sandy Thompson.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker said Chief District Judge Mark Gibbons set John Simbrat's bail after hearing details of Simbrat's driving history.
Simbrat was indicted Tuesday on one count each of driving under the influence of a controlled or prohibited substance, causing death, felony reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter.
He is scheduled to be arraigned next week by District Judge Sally Loehrer.
According to the Nevada Highway Patrol, Simbrat had marijuana in his system and was traveling at least 20 miles over the speed limit when he slammed into the back of Thompson's car on Aug. 9 as she sat at a red light at the Las Vegas Beltway and Far Hills Avenue.
Booker said computerized records show that Simbrat has been involved in four accidents since 1998 and attended driving school on three occasions.
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