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Jul. 23, 2008
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NEVADA HIGHWAY PATROL: Sergeant may face grand jury

He's accused of DUI in fatal crash

By ADRIENNE PACKER
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Edward Lattin appeared in court Tuesday on charges related to a fatal vehicle crash in June. Prosecutors accuse Lattin of having used marijuana hours before he got behind the wheel of his vehicle.
Photo by Gary Thompson

Prosecutors may be planning to convene a grand jury to consider evidence against a suspended Nevada Highway Patrol sergeant who is accused of driving under the influence of marijuana while involved in a fatal crash June 11.

NHP Sgt. Edward Lattin was expected to enter a plea Tuesday before Justice of the Peace Abbi Silver, but instead the judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for Oct. 15.


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    • "It is my understanding the state is intending to take this case to the grand jury," Silver said.

    Prosecutor L.J. O'Neale also invited Lattin's attorney John Watkins to contact him if his client is interested in testifying before the grand jury. Grand juries listen to testimony from witnesses and review evidence to determine whether the case is strong enough to go to trial.

    Prosecutors claim Lattin, a 22-year highway patrol veteran who supervised a team that investigates fatal crashes, had enough marijuana in his system to impair his driving during the crash, which happened when he was off-duty. They said he smoked at most four hours before the crash occurred on Rainbow Boulevard in the southwest valley.

    Killed in the accident was 49-year-old Ying Warren.

    Lattin voluntarily submitted to a blood test that showed he exceeded the legal limit, even if Lattin had ingested the smoke secondhand. Initially, officers believed that Lattin suffered from diabetic shock, triggering the wreck.

    Lattin was arrested last week on one felony count of driving under the influence resulting in death. His bail was set at $50,000.

    Wearing a black suit and burgundy shirt and tie, Lattin stood silently before Silver. He was accompanied to the short hearing by family members, who sat in the back of the courtroom and declined to speak with reporters.

    Tests showed that 5.6 nanograms per milliliter of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were present in the troopers' system before it was metabolized. After it was metabolized, tests showed 26 nanograms per milliliter in his blood stream.

    State law allows drivers to have 2 nanograms per milliliter of THC in their system because smoke might have been ingested secondhand.

    Last year, Lattin represented the Nevada Highway Patrol in urging drivers to be safe and avoid driving under the influence during the holiday season.

    Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker @reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.

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    mark hough wrote on July 26, 2008 03:47 AM: If this guy had 1 nanogram of dope in his system they should fry him. It's absoulety appaling of how the state of Nevada legal representatives are allowed to get away with these type of things and yet this state incarcerates people normal citzens for the littlest things.


    Tambora wrote on July 23, 2008 05:02 PM: Memo to HL: if they have a DRUG random policy, let the RJ sopeana his records under the freedom of information act. (and lets just see what it says. I just happen to know MARIJUANA stays in your system a LONG TIME).

    Memo to I have a question: A Peace office takes an oath to enforce ALL LAWS IN NEVADA, FEDERAL, STATE & LOCAL. LOOK IT UP. Some REAL SHERIFFS (LIKE Maricopa County Joe Arpaio), has no problema enforceing Federal laws.


    I have a question wrote on July 23, 2008 01:56 PM: Is it up to Metro to arrest the illegals in Las Vegas or the Feds?


    HL wrote on July 23, 2008 01:49 PM: Tambora, do your homework. NHP & Metro have a random drug testing policy.


    Tambora wrote on July 23, 2008 01:43 PM: Memo to all mercedes loving liberals. I'm sure the good Sgt. has been smoking dope since high school. So be it. There should be a policy of NHP & METRO to have two or three UNANNOUNCED TESTS for drugs and alcohol. HELLO. Where is the RJ on this issue. I know in the back pocket of the liberal SHERIFF and MOST liberal MAYOR. You reap what you sow las vegas. PS MEMO TO THE SHERIFF: Take a ride west bound on Charleston and round up all the illegals you see. BY the BY the same officers you have giving tickets to US citizens for GOD forbid NOT WEARING THE SEATBELTS.


    kk wrote on July 23, 2008 04:19 AM: Hang the idiot..


    Frank wrote on July 23, 2008 03:52 AM: If it can't be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he was absolutely under the influence at the time of the accident, then the state needs to charge him with a different crime. Like they should have with Jessica Williams, who the jury ruled was not under the influence at the time of her accident.