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StumbleCrash in Laughlin leaves 2 slot players dead
Authorities charge 70-year-old driver with felony reckless driving causing death
Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
A casino employee begins the process of removing debris after a 70-year-old man crashed his car through the entrance of the Edgewater Casino in Laughlin Wednesday, February 3, 2010, killing two and injuring six.
Published Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 | 10:10 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 | 7:39 p.m.
Fatal crash
UPDATED STORY: Coroner IDs woman in Laughlin casino crash; driver out of jail
LAUGHLIN - Two women playing slot machines at a Laughlin casino are dead and six other people were hospitalized after a vehicle slammed into the casino Wednesday morning.
Metro Police Sgt. Oscar Chavez said police responded at about 9:30 a.m. to the Edgewater Hotel & Casino, 2020 South Casino Drive, where a vehicle crashed into the casino's front entrance.
The driver, a 70-year-old man, told investigators he fainted while driving toward the Edgewater Hotel & Casino, 2020 South Casino Drive, on the Colorado River waterfront, Metro Police Officer Jacinto Rivera said. Officer Barbara Morgan said drugs and alcohol didn't appear to be factors in the crash.
The driver was identified Wednesday night as Walter McGie of Kelso, Wash. He was arrested and booked on two counts of felony reckless driving causing death, Metro Police said.
Police said nine people were struck. Six people were taken to Arizona Medical Center in Bullhead City, Ariz., for treatment, Chavez said. Two of the victims were in critical condition and one suffered moderate injuries, authorities said.
The two with more serious injuries were flown to the trauma center at University Medical Center, Bullhead City hospital spokeswoman Sarah Morga said.
McGie was treated for minor injuries at the scene, police said.
Chavez said a 2007 Pontiac Vibe was eastbound on Bruce Woodbury Drive, crossed Casino Drive at a high rate of speed and crashed through the casino's entrance, killing two women who were sitting at slot machines. Witnesses reported that the car went through a red light at the intersection.
The victims were not identified on Wednesday.
Chavez said no one else was in the car with McGie. Authorities were questioning him but haven't determined what caused the crash.
The vehicle "drove right through the glass doors at the front entrance, knocked over a bunch of slots like toys, and came to rest in the gaming area," Bullhead City Fire Division Chief Bill Kinsey, incident commander for a mutual aid response from the Arizona city across the Colorado River. He estimated that the vehicle came to rest about 35 feet inside the casino.
"Slot machines were just everywhere, just wiped out, tumbled and tossed," he said.
One of the dead ended up a few feet from the back of the vehicle, Kinsey said. Another was wedged beneath the vehicle and some slot machines.
Power was immediately shut off, and the casino area was evacuated. Kinsey said he didn't think guests were told to evacuate the rest of the 1,200-room hotel.
Kinsey said he expected casino security videotapes would show every detail of the crash, including the car approaching from near Casino and Bruce Woodbury drives, and crashing through the glass doors. "Those poor people, just minding their own business, and they get plowed over by a vehicle," Kinsey said.
"I don't think they ever saw it coming," he said.
Joseph Magliarditi, chief operating officer at the Edgewater, said he wasn't at the casino when the crash occurred.
"It doesn't feel good to get a phone call like that," he said of learning about the incident.
He wasn't sure of the extent of damage to the casino on Wednesday. Much of the casino floor remained open.
Karen Trent, who is visiting from Waterloo, Iowa, was in her Edgewater hotel room when she got a phone call from her husband, Morley, who was walking through the casino. He told her he heard what sounded like an explosion. The car ended up about 10 feet from where he was standing, she said.
“He is pretty shaken up,” Karen Trent said. She couldn’t hear the crash from her room.
Resident Paul Allen said he was pulling into the station when he saw the Pontiac run a red light and hit the median. He said he thought the car blew a tire. He estimated the car was traveling about 50 mph, while other estimates have been much higher.
"This is the most activity we've had down here since River Run," he said while watching the media gather outside the gas station.
The 2007 Vibe involved in the crash was not part of two Toyota recalls that recently affected millions of cars in the United States because of a risk of unintended acceleration.
The car, however, is a joint venture of Toyota and General Motors Co., and the 2009 and 2010 models were recalled last month because of a risk of the driver-side floor mat trapping the gas pedal, causing unintended acceleration.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did not have any defects or recalls for the 2007 Vibe listed in its database.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Illogical results from a seemingly simple act.
Too funny. That's the first news about the Edgewater I have seen in months. The buffet sucks, the slots are tight, and the poker game was bad, too, because they allowed smoking. Glad they closed the poker room. I don't even think that the rooms are any good there. Wouldn't want to stay at the Edgewater, much rather at the Colorado Belle.
From Switzerland
Talk about bad luck!
I am having a hard time visualizing how a vehicle gets around all of the drive up activity, obstacles etc. in the front entrance of the Edgwater to actually be able to smash into the casino with that tragic result. Time for these places to put in anti terrorist barriers anyway..
any chance it was a T O Y O T A ? ? ?
BORIS...you think it is funny when people going about their lives are killed or injured like that? Please go back to Switzerland we have enough freaks in America without importing more.
Good point enviro. I was in the north of the valley and a guy was filing up an open 55 gallon drum with gasoline in the back of a pickup truck, not a flammable rated container, and no lid on it. I called 911 and the dispatcher first spent about 5 minutes determining whether I was in the county, NLV or LV. Then she gave me the business number to the NLV fire department. I got an answering machine.
So if a terrorist wants to take out whatever with whatever, wherever (I won't get specific) it is open season, and law enforcement and these business owners are to blamed for the "Vegas 911" They think high tech, when a low-tech attack is what is probably coming.
lovinvegas, how about this episode, do you perhaps think this one is funny?
A few years ago, an Air France Concorder bound to JKF ex Paris Charles de Gaulle airport was on the runway, ready for departure. It was queued in , right after a Continental Airlines aircraft with destination USA.
So, as it happened, "according the Air France and the Federal Airline Association", a spare part of the Continental Aircraft was lost upon departure and this little metal pieace was left on the runway, on which just a couple of seconds after, this Air France Concorde with over 100 passengers on board, rolled over. The tire apparently burst and the wheel started to burn. This fire went over onto the wing and in a consequence, the Concorde Aircraft crashed, right into a hotel, just outside Paris.
So, that's perhaps not the end of my comment, but perhaps some people may think this is funny. It's not. But perhaps do you think this one here is funny:
Air France paid 150 Million dollars to the families of the victimes, without hesitation, as a compensation for their consolation.
Now, and here comes the ironic part of the story, part II, if you want to put it that way..., a lawsuit against Continental Airlines has been opened, as this chain reaction incidend could only have happened because the Continental Airlines aircraft wasn't well checked.....says Air France.
And what does Continental Airlines say? Well, they apparently have vitnesses who claim to have observed this Concord aircraft to have been on fire on the wings before that, which would excluse the theory of the lost piece on the runway, lost by Continental Airlines.
Of course, it's only about money, and how is to blame, and not about how is guilty and what can be done to make the families of the victims feel better.
I don't think that this is funny, either, but what's definetely funny , that's the idea that the parties start to argue at court and want to find out who is to blame.
Do you think similar suits will follow in Laughlin, Nevada?
From Switzerland
The technology to prevent this (someone accidentally stepping on the accelerator) is being worked on but it wont be standard soon enough. Maybe by 2020 things like this (or even rear-end accidents) are a thing of the past on new cars.
BorisR - first of all get up from the computer right now and take your meds. You're making a complete fool out of yourself. Secondly, this is a very sad and tragic story and these victims families will be reading this - are you THAT much of insensitive Swede? And lastly, if you hate it here so much...WTF are you reading OUR NEWS????
NativeGirl, you go girl this guy is starting to bitch an have a negative remark about every artical read..
The Pontiac Vibe is a part of the Toyota recall.
Gambling experts say playing the slots near the entrances are a sure way to lose (they are usually set up with worse odds). This proves it.
goingbust :
I think you have it backwards, the loosest slots are always by the entrances so the bells and whistles and payouts garner the most visibility..But hey.. this isn't about that it's about yet another tragic case of looking like another elderly driving case that didn't need to happen if this person was re-tested.
Mred, dispatch did the right thing. They ignored a crackpot.
environprotector ,
That is not what I was told. I am starting to doubt the "expert" I was listening to. Your logic seems persuasive.
I apologize for my inapropriate comments. I was not aware that people died in this sad incidence that were not actually involved, thus, just casino customers. It was not meant to offend any family member. Hopefully people take my appology.
From Switzerland
BorisR, I've always liked your commentary since it is coming from a very distant and presumably unbiased source. Mistakes happen.
This particular vehicle wasn't part of the Toyota recall. While the 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe was part of the recall, the vehicle involved in this incident was a 2007.
True, the 2007 Vibe is not on the recall list (yet?), but it is amazing to look at the NHTSA complaint log for it. The same problems with the car taking off on its own and braking with both feet doesn't stop it...different people over time. Not a scientific review, I know, but this problem has been smoldering. There remains the real possibility that these poor people got killed because this Toyota platform car took off and the driver couldn't get it stopped.
forget about what kind of car it was.
there should be barriers in front of that entrance to keep cars from going through that glass.
if every target store has them. every casino should have them.
and yes, it is really chilling when you think about how many people could die from a suicide bomber walking down the strip on a saturday night or a car bomb.
Toyota claims the problem is in the gas pedal manufactured in the USA since 2009. As this fault unfolds Toyota and the NTSB are finding the problem goes back to 2007. The NTSB is looking into if this problem is in the fica (fuel injection control module) gas pedal electrical systems, not just the gas pedal. If the cause of this accident in NV is related to the problems Toyota is having with their fuel system, it will be devestating to Toyota and any one who owns one.
BorisR - How about reading the article first before commenting on it? It doesn't surprise me.....you're just jumping in to hijack threads whenever you can.
My heart & sympathy goes out to the victims of this tragic accident.
S711
BORIS, go back to Switzerland where you may or may not be wanted. But you're sure as hell not wanted here. Adios, amigo.....
Comment removed by moderator. Comment was off topic.
MORE than likely this was a SNOWBIRD !!
ooh i saw the update ,,, IT WAS A SNOWBIRD !!!!
i KNEW this was snowbird caused when i saw the breaking news this morning.
What a bummer.
Borisk from Switzerland--------------I accept your apology. Thanks for the sentiment.
I'm sorry to hear of such tragic news but I don't agree that there needs to be barriers put up near casino entrances. This could have happened anywhere. It was just a freak accident and could not be prevented. Anyone can have a spasm and plow into you while you're walking in the park. When the grim reaper comes for you, there's no escaping.
What a tragedy. My condolences to all the families involved. Lately it seems as if there have been more and more 'medical episodes' leading to accidents in Southern Nevada.
Are they preventable? Can anything be done? It very well could have been you or me.. this accident could have happened anywhere... grocery store parking lot, work, school. Scary to think about. Again my condolences to all the families involved.
Wonder if this was really Sergio in his Dodge Viper in a hurry to get home?
So the question is; did the slot techs push this wrecked Pontiac Vibe up on a platform and put machines around it and give anybody a chance to win a used vehicle?
I'm not familiar with this casino, but by the looks of the pictures, there aren't any real barricades. This should be a wake up call to the casinos that they need to have effective barricades in front of their doors. They are leaving themselves wide open for accidents such as this, robbery scenarios, and terrorists.
netlivinginc :
Why in the world wouldn't you think that barriers in the front of entrances is a good idea? I think its essential with all businesses these days. It will prevent disasters like this from ever happening again!!
Yet again, another "old fart" on the road who shouldn't have been. He says he "fainted" while driving, I feel safe in calling him a liar. He was getting out of the town that took his money and he was in a hurry to get to Vegas and recoup! But don't get too excited people, most likely he'll get off with probation (he's old), the families will sue and get nothing (he's old and poor) and life at the Edgewater will return to normal (as if this never happened) by today or tomorrow. Sad, but true.
And to Boris - I appreciate all your comments and apology except one. You don't need to come here if you can't get over the smoking. It's Nevada - we smoke, drink, gamble and treat our visitors great! You want to gamble in a smokefree environment? Go to Atlantic City with all the polyester wearing bingo ladies and enjoy gambling. I must warn you though, since they took away the smoking, AC is a ghost town!
It is without believability that someone can use the word "funny" after reading this story !!! Here in Rhode Island and in Massachusetts, debate is underway about testing elderly drivers but no one can agree on an age, 85, 95 ?? Won't be long til I get there God Willing, but I would not object to testing to prove road worthiness
The NTSB is looking into if this problem is in the fica (fuel injection control module) gas pedal electrical systems, not just the gas pedal.
I saw this on the news this morning. The NTSB brought in their own expert and the guy said what many of us good figure out - it had nothing to do with JUST the gas pedel but everything to do with the electrical and/or computer system. So what does Toyota do? Ship new gas pedals to be replaced! Also, they interviewed a guy who was an attorney for Toyota and he is blowing the whistle big time. Toyota knew for YEARS there were problems but just swept the complaints away without doing anything about it. I can't remember this guy's name but I'm sure we'll be hearing more from him. He has a lawsuit against Toyota right now and, unlike the guy who snitched about the tobacco company, I don't think the Toyota guy has a gag order on what he can say.
In light of all of ths - let's hope Ford and GM do well from this. And no one is seriously injured or killed while driving their Toyota.
...andy..I think there should be testing for ALL drivers every 3-5 yrs to prove competency..
Yeah that's what we need redneck43, more of that socialist Obama government intruding into our lives.
rev...driving you car isn't a right it's a priviledge...and I would feel better knowing you're still competant to get behind the wheel of a 2000 lb automobile
I don't know if anyone is aware, but this is the third incedent of a car driving into an entrance in Laughlin. One happened few months ago at the riverside , several injured and another car several years ago went into the mall entrance across the street from edgewater and killed a few in the food court. The mall now has concrete posts in front to stop it from happening again. Maybe all entrances in front of casinos should follow their attempt to halt such an accident. I vote for concete pillars. HOw horrible and terrible sad for the victums of edgewater crash and those that died and families! GB
1) The guy himself SAYS he fainted. He said nothing about his car malfunctioning. His car was NOT recalled. He may be old but. . .
2) If you have seen the path this car took: thru a red light, across 5 lanes of traffic, down 150 ft drive, passing conveniently thru a break in the median, curving past valet and making a sharp right into the casino for 35 feet?? Well, those of us familiar with the area do NOT see how this could be an accident. But hey, we're not crime scene investigators, we're just locals.
3) The employees & locals are horrified. Business has not 'gone on as usual.' We have been consoling each other and praying for the families, and we're devastated for the poor employees who saw this unfold. The aftermath was horribly gruesome. People are needing time off from work, and probably counseling. There is NOTHING funny about this.
I was thinking the same thing nrh,,, how did he make the turn into the casino if he was not aware of doing so....I would think he would have ended up in the river if not making that turn...The recall about the gas pedal is that those gas pedal are electronically controlled at the pedal itself and the throttle body from which the computer inputs signals from those two components outputs,,, or something to that affect...
What about the judge who crashed her Mercedes into a business? If there was someone there they would have been killed. She was charged with nothing. Or the NHP doing 112 mph, 4 dead? He got two years at an out of state club Fed. Looks like there is one kind of justice for the politically connected, the rich, and the powerful...and another kind of justice for some slub tourist. No wonder no one wants to come to this hell hole any more.
Better yet is to require a driving retest when renewing the license for everyone regardless of age. You catch the impared younger ones also.
I can see a new marketing idea on the rise in order for The Edgewater to put this incident behind them due to this very horrible tragic accident :
Sign right up to register and become an Edgewater VIP slot club member ... for YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A FREE 2007 PONTIAC VIBE that you see on display in our comfortable spacious riverfront slot area.