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Man pleads not guilty in alleged DUI death of UNLV freshman

Thursday, May 28, 2009 | 9:53 a.m.

Lagerev arraignment (April 22)

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Vladimir Lagerev pleaded not guilty this morning to charges of driving while intoxicated ending in death in the April 15 crash that killed UNLV freshman Lindsay Bennett.

A trial date of Oct. 26 was set for Lagerev, 45, before District Judge James Bixler.

Bennett, a Coronado High School graduate, died after police said her 2006 Honda was hit head-on about 9:30 p.m. April 15 on the Windmill off-ramp of Interstate 215. She died two days later of her injuries, just days before her 19th birthday.

An indictment charging Lagerev alleges he was driving his 2008 Acura the wrong way on the off-ramp, hitting Bennett’s car. Prosecutors say Lagerev had a blood-alcohol level of 0.20, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08.

Lagerev’s attorney Stephen Stein said he would file a motion to reduce the $250,000 bail set by Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle. Lagerev remains in the Clark County Detention Center.

Stein also told District Court Judge Kevin Williams on Wednesday that he plans to run independent blood tests and offer expert witnesses during the trial. Lagerev’s arraignment was moved from Wednesday to this morning to allow a Russian interpreter to be present.

Discussion: 9 comments so far…

By goingbust

5/28/09 at 10:43 a.m.

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I don't see why he is even considering a bench trial. The bought-and-paid-for 'expert' witnesses aren't going to be able to snow a judge like they can an ignorant Las Vegas jury. He's toast. I am guessing the prosecturs have this one so locked up they are offering NOTHING.
By rejco100

5/28/09 at 10:59 a.m.

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This man IS innocent! The United State's National Religion (the 12-Step religion) states that he is POWERLESS; your blame needs to be directed to the 12-Step Religion's "Higher Power" that allowed this disaster to happen!
By kristyk89129

5/28/09 at 3:21 p.m.

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Excuse me Relco100 but are you serious about this man being innocent? His BAC was well over the legal limit and he was arrested at the scene. Do you think he was walking on the freeway and when the crash happened the "real" driver ran away and placed Vladamir in the car? Give me a break. This guy is toast and I hope he gets the maximum sentence
By skemp311

5/28/09 at 3:31 p.m.

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Yeah, going the wrong way on a freeway offramp and having a BAC over twice the legal limit, suuuuuure. Hopefully he'll end up as OJ's boyfriend!
By grammylv

5/28/09 at 9:30 p.m.

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You've got to be kidding me. First of all he was pulled out of the vehicle that hit Ms Bennett and arrested. Why is he even allowed to plead not guilty? Powerless? Once he got in that car with a BAC of that magnitude. That vehicle became a deadly weapon. Unfortunately, at one point in his lifetime he'll be able to be with his family! What about Lindsay and her family! Again, I'd say far from powerless.
By bodieb

5/28/09 at 9:43 p.m.

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Rejco100, I get your sarcasm. You are right, the 12-steppers do subscribe to that theory, and it's a travesty. This is one of those cases that the MADD mothers are going nuts about. How does one get so drunk they don't know what direction they are going in? Maybe he couldn't read the signs indicating what direction? After all, he needed a russian translator. This is a perfect case of someone who needs to be accountable for their own actions and be locked up to pay for his crime. What he did by getting behind the wheel was just about as bad a pre-meditated murder. R.I.P. Lindsay.
By ducker9mm

5/29/09 at 5:22 p.m.

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This scum should get at least 10 years behind bars. Take it like a man Vlad. Claiming, NOT GUILTY???? What a joke.
By LasVegasLawyerGal

5/30/09 at 7:29 a.m.

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Grammy:

He is "allowed", as you put it, to plead not guilty because our Constitution declares that everyone--from you to me to Mr. Lagerev to the LuvGuv--is presumed innocent until proven otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt, which can only take place during a trial with full constitutional safeguards. As other events in Las Vegas show us every day (remember the initial reports on the death of Officer Manor?) things are not always what they seem and it's prudent to withhold judgment until the full process is complete.