Man charged in crash that killed Rebel Girl released

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 | 11:14 p.m.

Rebel Girl Lindsay Bennett

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Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Sun

Vladimir Lagerev appears in court April 22 on felony DUI charges at the Regional Justice Center. He has been charged in connection with the death of UNLV freshman Lindsay Bennett, who died two days after a head-on crash on an offramp to Interstate 215 at Windmill Lane.

UPDATE: Man charged in crash that killed Rebel Girl back behind bars

The man charged with driving under the influence in the death of UNLV Rebel Girl Lindsay Bennett was released from the Clark County Detention Center on Wednesday by a judge's order.

Vladimir Lagerev, 45, was released just before 5 p.m. on a court order from Justice Court Department 6, Metro Police spokesman Officer Jay Rivera confirmed. That is the courtroom of Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle, who on Monday set bail for Lagerev on the felony DUI charge at $250,000 -- $50,000 more than prosecutors requested.

Oesterle was not available for comment on the reason for the order.

Lagerev's attorney Stephen Stein had not heard the news when he was reached.

He said he had not requested the release. A woman who answered Lagerev's home telephone would not comment.

Lagerev had the 0.20 blood alcohol level two hours after the crash April 15 that killed Bennett, 18, a 2008 Coronado High School graduate who was majoring in architecture at UNLV, Deputy District Attorney Bruce Nelson said during the bail hearing. That is the equivalent of drinking 11 beers in one hour, Nelson said.

Police allege that Lagerev hit Bennett head-on about 9:30 p.m. while driving the wrong way on an offramp to Interstate 215 at Windmill Lane, according to an arrest report. Bennett died two days later at University Medical Center.

Bail set for man charged in fatal I-215 crash (4-27-2009)
Man charged with DUI in fatal head-on crash appears in court (4-22-2009)
Hundreds mourn Rebel Girl killed in I-215 crash (4-21-2009)
Driver identified in suspected DUI crash that killed UNLV student (4-21-2009)
18-year-old UNLV student killed in suspected DUI crash (4-20-09)

Discussion: 7 comments so far…

By Journey

4/30/09 at 8:08 a.m.

Suggest removal

"Oesterle was not available for comment on the reason for the order." I don't get it! Does the reporter not know where this lady works? More info needed, i.e., is he on home-confinement wearing an ankle bracelet or free to frequent the bars? Has he turned in his passport(s)? Why DID the judge simply release him without even his attorney's knowledge? Something smells fishy.
By rejco100

4/30/09 at 8:13 a.m.

Suggest removal

It's not his fault. The National Religion of the 12-Steps says he is powerless and it's all at the will of the "Higher Power".
By michaelj16

4/30/09 at 9:07 a.m.

Suggest removal

This is a crying shame. If this guy gets into ANOTHER scrape with the law, will we then FINALLY lock him up and throw away the key?
An absolute disgrace. I know the Bennet family well and this is a slap in the face to the fine family they are in this trying time. The very least that can be done is this guy goes to jail FOREVER for the crime he committed. But no, our system allows him to go out and do whatever he wants while our penal system focuses on bigger things, like frivolous lawsuits because the moon really isnt made out of cheese!
I am disgusted by this.
By Journey

4/30/09 at 9:49 a.m.

Suggest removal

Perhaps the friends and family of the victim should be protesting on the courthouse steps. This just isn't passing the smell test and there's more to the story than reported.
By meiwish

4/30/09 at 9:50 a.m.

Suggest removal

This is appalling to say the least. Did he post bail? Does anyone know???? My heart goes out to the family and the friends of this beautiful girl, who was killed by this irresponsible, selfish human being who has continually broken the law. I am furious at the situation!!!!!!
By Jean Reid Norman

4/30/09 at 10:43 a.m.

Suggest removal

To Journey: Good points. I found out about the release after 5 p.m., when the court offices were closed for the day. I am following up today to find out what happened and why and will provide another story once I have some clear answers.
By msmrmyr

4/30/09 at 2:56 p.m.

Suggest removal

Judge Nancy Oesterle ordered Vladimir Lagarev held on $250,250 bail when he appeared before her on April 27, 2009. If he was able to post bail, she placed an added restriction on him to wear a SCRAM device, an alcohol monitoring bracelet, as a condition of bail. He had to post the bail amount prior to being released from the jail.

Court officials immediately noticed the Clark County Detention Center (CCDC) that Lagarev had been mistakenly released from jail. He was later apprehended around 11:30 a.m. (April 30) and returned to the CCDC.

Judge Oesterle was not available for comment when the reporter called on April 29 because the courts were closed. Also, her order required Lagerev to post a bail amount prior to release from the jail.

The updated story, http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/apr..., explains what happened in this case.

Michael Sommermeyer
Court Information Officer
Clark County Courts