Driver accused in UNLV student’s death back behind bars after mistaken release

The man accused of causing the death of a popular UNLV student in a drunk driving crash is back behind bars after being mistakenly released from jail, authorities said.

Vladimir Lagerev, 45, was released erroneously from the Clark County Detention Center Wednesday at about 4 p.m. through an administrative mix-up.

A civilian staffer at the county jail incorrectly read paperwork on Lagerev and released him on his “own recognizance,” meaning he didn’t have to post bail, said a Clark County court official.

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle earlier this week ordered Lagerev to be held on $250,250 bail, which is $50,000 more than county prosecutors had asked for. Lagerev couldn’t post the amount Oesterle set.

Authorities contacted Lagerev once they learned of the mistake and he surrendered himself at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday morning, said Las Vegas police Deputy Chief LeRoy Kirkegard, who is in charge of the county jail.

Kirkegard said the civilian staffer who released Lagerev likely confused paperwork from a separate Las Vegas courtroom where Lagerev initially faced charges.

“We’re taking the blame for this erroneous release,” he said.

He said the jail is investigating the error. He said it’s too early to say whether the employee will face disciplinary action.

Lagerev is accused of driving on the wrong side of the road and crashing his Acura sedan into a Honda Civic driven by 18-year-old UNLV student Lindsay Bennett on April 15 at the Las Vegas Beltway near Windmill Lane.

Lagerev is facing one count of felony driving under the influence causing a death and a misdemeanor charge of driving without insurance.

He is scheduled to appear in court on June 25 for a preliminary hearing.

Bennett, a 2008 Coronado High School graduate, was a member of the Runnin’ Rebel Girls dance team and an architectural design student. Hundreds of people turned out for a vigil held for Bennett earlier this month.

In 2009, the county jail has erroneously released five inmates, Kirkegard said. This is out of 24,000 releases. In 2008, he said there were 27 inmates mistakenly let out of jail of 71,000 people released.

None of the inmates the jail mistakenly let out faced murder or attempted murder charges.

Erroneous releases include inmates who were let out on lesser bail amounts than were set by a judge. It also includes inmates released before authorities discover a preexisting criminal case, Kirkegard said.

Stephen Stein, Lagerev’s attorney, said he wasn’t surprised to learn of the error. On Wednesday night, Lagerev’s wife told Stein that her husband was being released from the jail. Stein said he knew right away that there was a mistake and told Lagerev’s wife to be prepared to return him to the jail Thursday.

“It’s a tragedy and everybody is suffering,” Stein said. “Something like this just adds to the suffering on all parts.”

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.