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Woman sentenced to prison in drunken driving crash that killed Las Vegas man
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Miranda Dalton
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
A district judge on Monday gave the maximum sentence to a woman who killed a 28-year-old man in April in a drunken driving crash.
Judge Jennifer Togliatti sentenced Miranda Dalton to eight to 20 years in prison.
Dalton, 29, in June pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in death.
Paul Maidman was killed April 9 after his Buick Century was struck by Dalton's Jeep Grand Cherokee on Cheyenne Avenue, near Rampart Boulevard. Maidman, of Las Vegas, was pronounced dead at University Medical Center.
A prosecutor said Dalton's blood alcohol level was more than two times the legal limit after the crash. Dalton also had a previous driving under the influence conviction from a 2001 case.
Dozens of Maidman's family and friends crowded into the courtroom for the hearing. Many of them wore white T-shirts with "Team Paul" printed on the front.
The emotional hearing featured a tearful apology from Dalton and a request from Maidman's family asking for the judge to sentence her to the maximum penalty.
Dalton sobbed as she apologized to Maidman's family in court: "I take full responsibility for my actions. The actions that caused Paul Maidman's death are mine alone. And I am so sorry for that. I want to apologize to his entire family. Before this I never thought this could happen to anybody."
Dalton said she was trying to escape her problems by abusing alcohol. "And now all of my problems have gotten so much bigger."
Dalton said the case has led her daughter's father to keep the child from visiting her in prison.
Dalton said she recognized that one day she will hold her daughter's hand again and that the Maidman family has lost Paul Maidman forever.
"I have taken that away from you. I am so sorry for that," Dalton said as she wept.
Six relatives of Maidman spoke at the hearing, including several of his sisters and his parents. Many of the Maidman supporters wept during the family's statements.
Mark Maidman, the victim's father, addressed the judge and said that Dalton's apology was not enough. Paul Maidman served eight years in the Air Force and was planning on getting his master's degree, his father said.
"It devastated our family ... 'I'm sorry' will never do. There was no remorse in the beginning. And it's a little late now to say 'I'm sorry' at the last minute," Mark Maidman said.
Dalton's defense attorney asked the judge to consider a sentence of three to 12 years in prison. He said that Dalton's apology was sincere and that she saved the family much heartache by taking responsibility for her actions and pleading guilty instead going through a trial, which could have taken years.
Togliatti said Dalton's prior drunken driving conviction significantly affected her decision to sentence Dalton to the maximum term allowed.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
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@Steven.Haver -
There are several pictures of the victims car on the facebook page "Maximum Penalty for Miranda Dalton" which clearly show the seat belt was cut to get him out of the car. He was wearing a seat belt. Not that a seat belt does much good when you are hit by a 4000 lb car at over 80 MPH.
I was a dealer at Sunset Station for seven years. I watched night after night the waitresses serve alcohol to people who were already over drunk. As long as they get a tip, they will bring you that shot of tequila, and a beer back. I have witnessed them bring drinks to guys who said "I'm good",cause they were good tippers.
People, it's called the ALCOHOL AWARENESS POLICY. Anyone in Nevada who has the authority to serve or comp alcoholic beverages is required to pass a class and be licensed with an Alchol Awareness Card (TAM card.) It is the responsibility and requirement of those with such ability, to observe and react to patrons who are quite obviously impaired. I do not know what the penalty is for non enforcement but, as we all know, the casinos have the power to thwart any attempts at taking responsibility even tho the most casinos are quite neglect in enforcing a policy that cuts into their potential profits. Much the same as their neglect at any serious address of problem gambling.
For the other comments: According to police, the bar was Stoney's on the strip.
All I'm saying is that you will never stop tradegies like this from happening when you have bars on every corner, liquor stores on every block, and beer and alcohol commercials on every TV station. Alcohol is the grease that makes this town run, and that's never going to change. I'm all for personal responsibility, but carping about that isn't going to change anything. You can't have it both ways in my opinion. Either you foster an environment that encourages alcohol use or you don't. WE DO.
@curious.. I don't disagree in concept. However, some people (especially young ones) aren't capable of making the right decisions. I believe society has to share some of the blame when alcohol is being pushed, seved, and advertised from every angle possible. You reap what you sew also don't you?
I will pray for you Miranda.... to my lord and savior Satan.....
Dr. Walt, sorry for your loss.....and Curious, I agree with you 100%!
IDENTIFY THE BAR/TAVERN?? Have you people lost your minds? What about being responsible for yourself and your actions? This was no ones' fault but the DEFENDANT. This is exactly what is wrong with our country today. No one is responsible for thier own actions. It's always someone elses fault. NO! This is one persons fault. The woman who made the concious decision to drive home in the condition she was.
A minimum of ten days in jail with thousands in fines for the first offense plus make them serve their 10 days in some sort of a tent city like we have down here in phoenix. just might be a pretty good way of getting the drunks out of their cars and into a cab