Trial delayed for man accused in death of UNLV freshman

By Cara McCoy

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 | 10 a.m.

The trial for a man accused of driving drunk in a head-on collision that left an 18-year-old UNLV freshman dead has been postponed.

Vladimir Lagerev, 45, was scheduled to stand trial beginning Monday on a charge of driving under the influence resulting in death in the April 15 head-on collision that killed 18-year-old Lindsay Bennett. The trial is now set for March.

Lagerev's attorney, Stephen Stein, requested the delay after telling District Court Judge James Bixler he had been seriously ill the week before and hadn't been able to adequately prepare for trial.

Lagerev has been out of custody since posting a $100,000 bond in June. As part of Lagerev's bail agreement, he has been ordered to wear an ankle bracelet to monitor his whereabouts and whether he has consumed alcohol. He has been required to surrender his passport, driver's license and marriage license.

Bennett, a Coronado High School graduate, died two days after the crash, which occurred about 9:30 p.m. April 15 on the Windmill off-ramp of Interstate 215. Police said her 2006 Honda was hit head-on by Lagerev's Acura, which police said he was driving the wrong way on the ramp.

Prosecutors say Lagerev had a blood-alcohol level of 0.20, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08.

Bennett died two days before her 19th birthday.