Officer charged in crash resigns

The Nevada Highway Patrol sergeant charged with driving under the influence of marijuana resigned Friday.

Edward Lattin, a 22-year veteran of the agency, also was facing two internal investigations into the June 11 crash that killed a woman.

"He is no longer an employee of the Nevada Highway Patrol," Department of Public Safety spokesman Daniel Burns said.

Burns said details of any retirement benefits are a private personnel matter.

Prosecutors claim the 46-year-old Lattin had enough marijuana in his system to impair his driving at the time of the crash, which happened while he was off duty and driving his personal truck.

They said he smoked the marijuana 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.

Las Vegas police, who investigated the crash, initially believed Lattin had suffered from diabetic shock, triggering the wreck.

Lattin was expected to enter a plea in the case on Tuesday, but Justice of the Peace Abbi Silver instead scheduled a preliminary hearing for Oct. 15.

His case may go a grand jury, Silver said. Grand juries, which hold closed hearings, listen to testimony from witnesses and review evidence to determine whether a case is strong enough to go to trial.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.