Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Coroner IDs woman in Laughlin casino crash; driver out of jail

Edgewater Casino Fatal Crash

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

A 2007 Pontiac Vibe is towed away from the Edgewater Casino in Laughlin after a 70-year-old man drove it through the front entrance, killing two and injuring six.

Updated Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 | 3:12 p.m.

Click to enlarge photo

Walter McGie

The Clark County Coroner’s Office has identified one of two women who were killed in a Laughlin casino Wednesday after a man drove his car through the front entrance as 81-year-old Helen Hindmand of Lincoln, Neb.

The coroner’s office said Hindmand died of multiple blunt force injuries as a result of the crash.

Metro Police said the man drove a 2007 Pontiac Vibe at a high rate of speed into the front doors of the Edgewater Hotel & Casino, 2020 South Casino Drive, shortly before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The car struck nine people inside the casino, killing two and injuring seven.

Officers arrested Walter McGie, 70, of Kelso, Wash., after the crash and charged him with two counts of felony reckless driving causing death. He was released late Wednesday from the local police lockup in Laughlin on $6,000 bail and scheduled for arraignment March 11 in Laughlin Justice Court.

Each charge carries a possible sentence of probation or one to six years in state prison.

The Clark County Coroner’s Office hasn't released the identity of the other woman, but police said they were both playing slot machines at the time of the crash.

Police said that alcohol and drugs didn't appear to be a factor in the crash.

A daughter of McGie says she's stunned to hear her father was driving the speeding vehicle.

Laura White of Portland, Ore., said Thursday that her father, Walter Melvin McGie Jr., is friendly and outgoing, and must be devastated to have been involved in the crash.

Police Detective William Redfairn says McGie told him he doesn't remember the crash.

Redfairn says a certified mechanic will check the 2007 Pontiac Vibe for mechanical problems.

Sun reporter Tiffany Gibson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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