Grand juries stay busy hearing fatal DUI cases

Erica D. Johnson

Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003 | 9:48 a.m.

Two men were indicted Wednesday on charges stemming from separate fatal DUI collisions during what a district attorney called a "busy month" prosecuting similar cases.

A grand jury indicted Victor Charles Thompson, 21, and Alberto Perez Ortega, 33. The indictments were unsealed Wednesday before District Judge Gene Porter.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Gary Booker said the two indictments for fatal DUIs won't be the last during the month of February.

"It's fairly epidemic," Booker said. "There are two or three cases still in the screening process."

Thompson is charged with causing a Dec. 16 collision that killed Wilbert McCandless.

Thompson ran a red light at the intersection of U.S. 95 and Craig Road, colliding with McCandless' pick-up truck, Booker alleged. McCandless was pronounced dead at the scene.

Thompson's two children, ages 2 and 5 months, were strapped into car seats, Booker said. The children were not injured.

Thompson had methamphetamine in his system at the time of the collision, Booker said.

He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center. Bail is set at $500,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Jackie Glass.

Ortega was indicted in a hit-and-run incident Jan. 1 near the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard North and Lamb boulevards that killed Russell Sheldon.

Ortega faces multiple charges that include driving under the influence, reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter.

Ortega's blood alcohol level was about 0.23 at the time of collision, Booker alleged.

Witnesses who saw the accident gave police a description of Ortega's Chevrolet sedan, which was badly damaged from the collision, the prosecutor said.

Ortega is being held at the Clark County Detention Center. Bail is set at $1 million. He is expected to be arraigned Tuesday also before Glass.