A Sudden Sidewalk Strike (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Las Vegas – A Henderson man faced serious charges in court after police accused him of driving under the influence and striking pedestrians, including a 2-year-old girl and her mother from the United Kingdom, near the Strip.[1][2]
A Sudden Sidewalk Strike
The incident unfolded around 7:35 p.m. on February 8 near East Harmon Avenue and Audrie Street. Gavin Caci, 28, drove a gray Tesla Model Y eastbound on Harmon Avenue. Authorities stated that he veered onto the sidewalk before colliding with a stopped Chevrolet Trax at a red light.[3]
The impact forced the Tesla back onto the sidewalk. There, it struck three pedestrians from the United Kingdom: two adults and a toddler in a stroller. The child was ejected and dragged underneath the vehicle until it hit a pole. Caci then fled the scene, but a witness followed him to a nearby parking lot on Koval Lane.[3]
Officers arrested Caci shortly after. A preliminary blood test revealed his blood-alcohol content at 0.22, almost three times Nevada’s legal limit of 0.08.[2]
Severe Injuries for Visitors
The 2-year-old girl and her mother suffered the most critical harm. Paramedics rushed them to University Medical Center, where doctors diagnosed both with brain bleeding. Prosecutors noted the child also endured a skull fracture and a broken femur.[1]
The second adult from the family sustained minor injuries. The Chevrolet Trax driver, a 35-year-old Las Vegas woman, received treatment for minor wounds as well. Both the toddler and mother remained hospitalized days after the crash.[2]
Police continue to investigate through the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Collision Investigation Section. The family had traveled from overseas for a visit, turning a vacation into a nightmare.[3]
Charges and Prior Record
Caci, a VIP club promoter from Henderson, faces multiple felony counts. These include two charges of DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm, two counts of reckless driving resulting in substantial bodily harm, and four counts of failure to stop at the scene of an accident.[3][2]
Records show a previous DUI conviction in California from 2019, which his defense attorney described as a reckless driving violation. Caci also has a history of speeding offenses. Prosecutors highlighted these factors during the bail hearing.[2]
- DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm (two counts)
- Reckless driving resulting in substantial bodily harm (two counts)
- Failure to stop at the scene (four counts)
- Prior DUI in 2019
Bail Hearing Outcomes
On Thursday, February 19, Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure presided over Caci’s bail hearing at the Regional Justice Center. Prosecutors requested $1 million bail, pointing to the victims’ grave conditions and Caci’s record. His attorney sought a lower, reasonable amount.[1][2]
The judge set bail at $100,000. Conditions include GPS monitoring, an alcohol-detection device, no travel outside Nevada, a nightly curfew, and regular testing. Caci’s preliminary hearing is slated for February 25.[2]
Key Takeaways
- A blood-alcohol level of 0.22 fueled a dangerous deviation onto a crowded sidewalk.
- UK visitors now recover from life-altering injuries at a local trauma center.
- Bail terms aim to prevent further risks while the case proceeds.
This case underscores the devastating toll of impaired driving in a tourist-heavy area like the Strip. Families expect justice as investigations wrap up. What do you think about the bail decision? Tell us in the comments.
