Indictment returned in fatal crash

Erica D. Johnson

Monday, April 21, 2003 | 9:44 a.m.

A grand jury indicted a 20-year-old Las Vegas man on felony charges of drunken driving Friday after a collision that killed two people.

The indictment, unsealed before District Judge David Wall, charges Octavio Mendoza in the November 17, 2002, crash that killed Danielliz Mutuc, 22, and Rene Perales, 16.

Mendoza faces 16 criminal counts, including involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving and driving under the influence causing death or substantial bodily harm.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker said Mendoza was driving erratically near Maryland Parkway and Katie Avenue when his two passengers asked him to slow down.

"Instead of slowing down he basically put the pedal to the metal and sped up," Booker said. "He even turned up the radio."

Authorities estimate Mendoza had about a 0.15 blood-alcohol level at the time of the collision, Booker said. Mendoza has no prior arrests for drunken driving, Booker said.

Wall issued a warrant for Mendoza's arrest and set bail at $1.5 million. He is scheduled to be arraigned before District Judge Jackie Glass on April 24.

Police say Mendoza was driving his 1997 Pontiac northbound at about 64 mph in a 30 mph zone when he hit the median on Maryland Parkway and crossed over three lanes of oncoming traffic.

Mendoza's car was broadsided by a car driven by David Bobrosky, Booker said. Mutuc was a passenger in that car, while Perales was a passenger in Mendoza's car.

Three other passengers in Brobrosky's car and two passengers in Mendoza's car suffered injuries such as punctured lungs and spinal injuries.

"Nobody was anywhere near conscious after this crash," Booker said.

Mendoza's indictment was part of a busy day for Booker and Clark County's Vehicular Crimes Unit.

Michael Krivak on Friday made his first court appearance after being charged in the death of bicyclist Chris Holt, 44, and the injuries to his 8-year-old son, Chance, on Tuesday. Krivak faces multiple felony DUI charges.