From left, Metro Police Sheriff Joe Lombardo, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson and Metro Traffic Bureau Captain Jason Letkiewicz attend a press conference to discuss charges in two DUI cases, at the Regional Justice Center, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019.
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 | 7:25 p.m.
One fatal crash late last month was so violent that the struck SUV was launched over two vehicles before landing atop a third. Over the weekend, a car was hit so hard that its gas tank exploded. That car became a deathtrap when it caught fire, burning its two occupants and their dog, according to Metro Police.
Both crashes are being blamed on motorists with blood alcohol levels about 2.5 times over the legal limit, said Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson Wednesday as he announced second-degree murder charges in both cases.
"When the behavior of defendants is so reckless and so callous and in such disregard for human life, it qualifies for a charge of murder," said Wolfson, flanked by prosecutors and Metro officials at the Las Vegas Regional Justice Center.
Murder prosecutions in DUI cases, which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison (with the possibility of parole in 15 years), are only used in "extreme" cases, and Wolfson's office has prosecuted very few in his nearly eight-year tenure, he said.
Kevin Raspperry
Sentencing guidelines for DUI crashes resulting in death typically range from two to 20 years in prison, he said.
Kevin Raspperry, 35, accelerated above 85 mph down Tropicana Avenue the morning of Oct. 27 when he ignored, or didn't see, a red light at Rainbow Boulevard, police said. Marciel Escobia, 65, probably had no time to react or see a speeding car approaching his driver's side at the intersection. He died from blunt force injuries, the Clark County Coroner's Office said.
Escobia's passenger by the same last name suffered life-threatening injuries, police said. Five other vehicles, including a bus, were involved, and two people suffered serious injuries, police said.
In addition to blood alcohol results of 0.19 and 0.20, Wolfson said Raspperry also tested positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana, and that he was driving with a suspended driver's license. "He should not have been driving at all," Wolfson said.
In addition to the murder charge, Raspperry was charged with multiple counts of DUI, reckless driving and drug possession. His attorney could not be reached for comment.
Aaron Kruse
Aaron Kruse, 24, was in a late-model Ford Mustang early Saturday morning hours on Boulder Highway near Flamingo Road when he slammed into the back of a 2006 Toyota Corolla at 115 mph, said Wolfson and police. The crash forced the car onto a curb, causing its gas tank to burst into flames. "I don't know what the speed limit was, but it wasn't 115 mph," Wolfson said.
Metro Capt. Jason Letkiewicz said evidence suggests the victims tried to get out of the death trap. "It was a gruesome scene."
One of the victims was Norma Rosario Ortiz, 45, according to the coroner's office, which hadn't named the second victim as of Wednesday. A dog also perished. Kruse faces counts of DUI, reckless driving and killing, maiming or disfiguring an animal. An attorney to speak on his behalf could not be located.
Motorists in the valley continue to make "stupid" decisions by getting behind the wheel after ingesting alcohol or drugs, and the verbal warnings about the dangers have proven ineffective. "The message isn't getting out," he said.
That could change through harsher prosecutions, he said. Or, "what about not drinking that night? Because it's not worth it — the damage you cause to the families, other families and yourself," Wolfson said.
Officers who respond to the fatalities would know.
"You really have to see it yourself to get a true understanding of it," Letkiewicz said. "It's nothing you truly want to see."
