Arrest report: DUI suspect in fatal bus stop crash had ‘one Budweiser’

Gary Lee Hosey Jr. said he drank only "one Budweiser" before he crashed his girlfriend's car into a bus stop last week in an accident that killed four people.

The 23-year-old told Las Vegas police detectives he had been drinking with friends at an Ethiopian bar near the bus stop at Spring Mountain Road and Decatur Boulevard but had consumed only one beer, according to his arrest report released Monday.

Hosey also told police he had been driving 60 mph, which was disputed by witnesses who estimated the car was traveling 100 mph just before the crash, the report said.

The 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo went airborne at the intersection and slammed into the bus stop about 6:30 a.m. Thursday, killing four and injuring eight.

Hosey, who doesn't have a driver's license, made a tearful appearance Monday morning in Las Vegas Justice Court, where he faces four charges of felony DUI causing death.

Because county prosecutors had not filed formal charges, Justice of the Peace Conrad Hafen delayed Hosey's arraignment until Friday. Prosecutors were awaiting blood test results and other medical reports before charging Hosey.

Defense lawyer Caitlyn McAmis asked Hafen to release Hosey because no charges had been filed.

"No. That's not going to happen," the judge told McAmis, who was authorized to appear for Hosey though his family hadn't formally retained her.

Hafen ordered Hosey to remain jailed with no bail.

Hosey has been at the Clark County Detention Center since his release from the hospital Friday night.

During a brief court appearance that included District Attorney Steve Wolfson in the audience, Hosey walked unassisted, though he wore a sling on his left arm and kept his head down. Police originally said Hosey might have suffered a collapsed lung and broken back, but the injures did not appear as serious as reported.

Outside the courtroom, his family spoke about his character and expressed grief for the victims' families. "He's a good kid. He's an honest kid," said aunt Mary Simpson of Apple Valley, Calif. "We do feel real bad for the families."

Police said Hosey had a lengthy criminal history in Las Vegas, including arrests in the past two years for marijuana possession, obstructing a public officer, lewd conduct and larceny.

The Clark County coroner's office identified the dead as Johnni Lee Garner, 49, of Las Vegas, Gerber Herman Ayala-Tomasino Jr., 24, Margoth Gonzalez, 65, and Hyon Cooley, 47.

Garner's daughter, Nichelle Garner , 23, did not attend Monday's court hearing but planned to attend Friday's arraignment. Nichelle Garner said her life has been a nightmare since the crash. Her two daughters, 5 and 2, depended on their grandmother as the main source of family income.

"My two little girls are not handling this well," she said. "They keep asking for Grandma to come back and where's Grandma. It's been really hard."

Police identified injured pedestrians as Zakiya Corner, 29, who was in critical condition last week, Zexiang Wang, 19, listed in critical condition Monday, and Billy Joel Ramirez-Fuentes, who suffered minor injuries.

Passengers in Hosey's car were Aklilu Atanaw, 24, and Tamesgen Adam, 22, of San Diego, both listed in critical condition last week; Maarig Tewolde, 26, and Wendim Fisenar, 31, both in serious condition last week. Updated conditions for most were not available Monday.